The deal for a group of billionaires to buy a minority stake in Liverpool remains on track to pass a deadline set by the new independent football regulator.
The consortium led by Amit Bhatia, known as 1892 Holdings, agreed to purchase a 38 per cent stake in Fenway Sports Group’s controlling interest in the club earlier this season. And despite some anxieties externally and in the fanbase about a lack of updates, I have been told this week that everything is moving in the right direction.
Sources close to Bhatia and his consortium insist the process takes time but there are no hitches and it is still expected to beat the deadline. It is understood the date in question is in December and in accordance with the new regulator, who must take within 90 days to issue a final suitability determination for prospective new owners or senior executives.
Indeed, this week brought the news that FSG are in exploratory talks to buy a significant stake in Formula One team Cadillac. Both FSG and Cadillac were contacted for comment around that story – and insisted it is an ongoing process.
One source pointed to the fact that FSG clearly expect to have some ‘spare pennies lying around’ – hinting the Liverpool investment will go through.
Senior FSG staff have constantly stressed that selling 38 per cent of the club does not mean they are losing interest and that they are as committed as ever, though the potential for the buy-in to become a full-scale takeover at some point in the future remains.
Bhatia is backed by his billionaire father-in-law Lakshmi Mittal, plus Jeff Bezos and Eduardo Saverin.
Amit Bhatia (second left) is heading up a consortium to buy a stake in Liverpool from John Henry (second right) and his Fenway Sports Group
Liverpool supporters hope the deal will transform the club’s fortunes on the pitch
Frimpong nears return
Jeremie Frimpong has had rotten luck with injuries since he joined Liverpool – and Andoni Iraola ruled him out for more than a month with a problem he suffered at Brentford on October 17.
I understand the Dutch international is now all-but fit and could play this weekend if needed – however, given his high number of injuries, a decision has been made to delay his return.
Liverpool were recently punished for bringing back Dominik Szoboszlai too quickly as the Hungarian pulled up shortly after his first start upon his return, which set him back a fortnight.
Frimpong missed only seven Bayer Leverkusen games through injury in four years at the club according to Transfermarkt, but has already sat out nearly 30 Liverpool matches. Most of those absences have been hamstring related, so Frimpong is not being rushed back and will be given the international break to continue working on his recovery.
Jeremie Frimpong has had rotten luck with injuries since he joined Liverpool and went down again against Brentford last month. However, the Dutch international is now close to a return
Trey bien!
Trey Nyoni has been offered a bumper new contract to reward him for his fine progress.
The 19-year-old, who scored his first Liverpool goal in the defeat in Istanbul against Fenerbahce on Wednesday night, has had a stellar rise since Iraola took over at Liverpool.
Nyoni, signed from Leicester City in 2023, was in many matchday squads and featured sparingly last season but has come of age this campaign and has already doubled his first-team minutes – with three quarters of the season still to play.
Nottingham Forest made a £30million bid in the summer but Iraola identified him as a key asset and he will be rewarded handsomely for his progress.
Trey Nyoni scored his first Liverpool goal on Wednesday night in the Champions League loss against Fenerbahce
Your question answered: What’s the January priority?
One topic fans have asked me about this week is which position is a priority in the January and summer transfer windows.
The first area to mention is midfield. I have reported in the past how Chelsea are currently ahead of Liverpool in the race for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, so let’s keep an eye on that – and the situation of Lamine Camara of Monaco. But I think the priority has to be a left-back.
Are Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas good enough? Neither have performed at the required level so far this season and bringing Tsimikas back from a loan at Roma – where he barely played – felt like a bit of a cop-out. It has to be a priority position in the next 12 months.
Red-eye Reds
Liverpool flew straight home from Istanbul after the loss to Fenerbahce and did not land on Merseyside until past 2am. It is a departure from last season, when Arne Slot would often have his squad stay for two nights on European away days.
Players are said to be big fans of the extra night at home with most preferring to sleep in their own beds.
Iraola did not hold a post-match team talk after Fenerbahce but will debrief the squad when back in training, having branded the defeat ‘cheap’ and ‘messy’.
Kop Kids: Wright is a gem
Another UEFA Youth League game, another hat-trick for Will Wright.
I was in place on the outskirts of Istanbul on Wednesday afternoon to watch the 18-year-old bag his second treble in four European matches this term, making it 13 goals for the season in all competitions.
Wright had a heated exchange with Josh Sonni-Lambie over who would take a penalty but the pair have smoothed things over now after Wright took it and scored. The striker’s assist for Finn Inglethorpe was also a notable moment that showed he is a team player and not a greedy No9.
Liverpool’s Will Wright scored another hat-trick in the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday, against Fenerbahce Under 19s
I was also impressed by right back Oliver O’Connor, who looks like a real athlete. He aced every physical pre-season test for the academy and is versatile, with a quality delivery into the penalty area.
The Scouser joined the club aged six and has been a midfielder for most of his career. Boss Rob Page does not necessarily see him as a right back long-term but he caught the eye up and down that flank.
Mor’s visa hitch
Those who did watch the academy game – and the first-team later on – would have been wondering where defender Mor Talla Ndiaye was. He is a mainstay in the Youth League XI and has been on the seniors’ bench several times.
It is believed the Senegalese defender had a visa issue and could not feature in the game in Turkey, though next month’s away match in Bruges is not expected to pose the same problem.
Liverpool’s Mor Talla Ndiaye (centre) was nowhere to be seen in Istanbul due to visa issues
Also in academy news, young midfielder Michael Laffey has signed with the OmniSports agency who represent the likes of Wright and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. Under 21s captain Laffey, whose dad owns the Glenbuck pub in Anfield, made the first-team bench a fortnight ago.
Reds fans pay for priciest pints!
Liverpool supporters have drawn the short straw and will pay more than any of their English counterparts for a pint while following their team in Europe this season.
That’s according to data from LiveScore, who have worked out that Reds will pay an average of £4.91 per pint on their travels.
Still, £4.91 for a pint? Better than most places at home. You might need one after watching Liverpool’s defending this week!
