If I owned Liverpool FC
ARTICLE BY MATTY
So there’s this site I occasionally frequent where, since the owners of the Buffalo Sabres aren’t
the greatest in the world (although they’re amazing for the Buffalo Bills, go figure there), some
fans create “Owner for a Day” posts, where they’d go through what they’d do if they owned the
Sabres. So, in this scenario I am 20 years older than I am now, which is a week away from 38
then. I’ve made billions with numerous business ventures and I’ve made the move to buy my
favorite club, Liverpool, from the greedy trash bags known as FSG. Now that I own the club,
I’ve got a lot to do. The squad and Klopp both need reassurance, the fan base needs to be
shown support from myself and the squad, and I most importantly have to stay away from the
other Big 6 owners. Can’t have any Super League business nuking my assets like FSG did. So
here’s what I would do if I could buy the club from FSG.
Step 1: Create a Fan Council
So what do I mean by “fan council”? Well, I mean that I’m going to make the fans directly
involved in whatever I do as owner. We’ve already seen many Liverpool fan groups gain fame
for their popularity and their response to the Gimmick League, Spion Kop 1906 a good
example. Using the fans as a sounding board, they’ll have direct influence on business such as
ticket prices, potential transfer targets, and the quality of Anfield itself. In short, this fan council
will become embedded in the club and become part of Liverpool’s identity. After being
shunned the way we were in FSG’s recent disaster, I want to quickly ensure that will never
happen. Under my ownership, the fans will have a significant voice.
Step 2: Statue for King Kenny
Having never been to Anfield myself, I’m not sure if this is already there or not. I do know
there’s Shankly’s statue, so this would be an addition. I may maintain my opinion that Gerrard
was possibly the greatest ever Liverpool player, but King Kenny Dalglish, over the years, has
been our most important figure, whether that be as a talismanic striker, a manager, or a fan like
the rest of us. King Kenny deserves his own statue at Liverpool, as he represents everything
Liverpool should stand for and furthermore has been our guide through many of our toughest
times. Heysel, the 96, Hicks and Gillette. All horrible events that Kenny has guided us through
and kept us together. He is just as important to the club’s identity as Shankly, and should
forever be remembered as such.
Step 3: Make a Statement Signing
Haaland or Mbappe. Your choice. This is extremely helpful in three ways: it proves I’m willing to
do whatever it takes to win everything (unlike FSG), I’m willing to listen to the fan base (unlike
FSG), and I’m going to properly support and back Klopp and Edwards to do whatever they
want (unlike FSG). Signing either one of Haaland or Mbappe is extremely helpful, both in the
short and long terms. They are the future of football, the next Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, and
getting our hands on one of them will be extremely helpful for marketing, as we’ll have locked
up one of the two best young stars in the world for a significant amount of time. Not only will
the team have improved with one of these superstars being added, but it helps Liverpool FC as
a brand (in a good way, not like the Super League). Fans who have been calling for them for a
solid year will finally be satisfied and will furthermore be willing to participate in the Fan
Council. Klopp will now have greater confidence in ownership consistently providing the
reinforcements he requires. Lastly, the succession plan for our front three will get a major
boost, ensuring we compete for trophies for a long time to come.
Step 4: Tweak the FSG Model
When it comes to transfers, FSG had a decent stretch between 2016 and 2019, yet largely
underwhelmed in the market otherwise. We consistently went for the cheaper option from 2010
to 2015 instead of getting someone better (Balotelli as a Suarez replacement? Really?). Then,
after Klopp’s plan came to fruition and we won the Champions League, we basically went back
to 2010 spending in that we went after players that turned out to be good, but we were
extremely cheap in doing so. That won’t be happening anymore. As the statement signing
above will prove, I’m willing to open my pockets for a top player that Klopp and Edwards feel is
needed. Otherwise, I’m willing to follow the analytical model that has worked so well for us
under Klopp’s tenure. What am I saying? Whatever Klopp and Edwards decide is needed, I will
buy, unlike FSG. Unlike FSG, I am a fan and therefore will do what’s good for business, but that
business sense will come second to ensuring that the fan base has a good product and that
Klopp or whoever is managing is supremely happy with the players at his disposal.
Step 5: Commit to Helping Smaller Clubs
Lastly, I may be a Liverpool fan, but I’m also a fan of football in general and it pains me greatly
to see teams going under due to financial pressure. What this means is that I will happily lend a
few million in order to help save clubs that might fail otherwise. If they’re, say, in the
Championship or League One, perhaps I can work out a deal with that club for them to take on
some loanees from our youth academy, or maybe we could get the privilege of being the first
club to talk to some of their young talents should they be ready to be a Liverpool squad
member. I dunno, something to think about I guess. Regardless, it should be a responsibility of
ours to keep smaller clubs afloat. Their fanbases may be much smaller than ours, but they’re
just as important to the intricate fabric of the football world.
If anyone has any more steps for me to add or even wants me to make a series out of this
(what I’d do after next season, etc), I’d be open to it. This is just what I’d do if given the keys to
run the operation known as Liverpool FC.
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