12 November 2023 , 08:45
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Back in January 2020, Liverpool were in imperious form in the Premier League under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp.
The team had gone 22 games without a defeat - with a small blemish on their record thanks to a 1-1 draw against Manchester United. And in January it was time to exact revenge. Two goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah gave the team the bragging rights and a well-deserved three points. But it was an encounter after the game that caught fans by surprise.
The club's principal owner John W Henry was in attendance at Anfield and was spotted in the tunnel after the win. The American billionaire managed to grab Klopp, remarking: "Wow, amazing. Just amazing" in a bid to reaffirm his commitment to the club.
A lot has changed since those comments were made.
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Liverpool went on to win the Premier League that season with 99 points and just three defeats in the league. But just over a year later the club would be embroiled in scandal.
April 2021 saw the proposal of the European Super League which was met with strong and immediate criticism. The league saw several high-profile clubs from around Europe form their own league which involved no relegation and no promotion.
And among the founding members was Liverpool's John Henry - named as a vice-chairman underneath Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. After serious backlash from supporters and Premier League team rivals, the club quickly withdrew from the tournament, forcing Henry to release a public statement to apologise.
John W Henry was seen congratulating Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool's win (LiverpoolFC/Youtube)The Super League saw the Reds' owner lose considerable credibility with the fanbase, who also grew frustrated with the owner's apparent reluctance to invest transfer market. After heavy pressure the club was put up for sale.
In the months following, Henry has claimed that Fenway Sports Group won't put the club up for a full sale, but will instead seek investments.
"I know there has been a lot of conversation and quotes about LFC, but I keep to the facts: we merely formalized an ongoing process," he said to the Boston Sports Journal. "Will we be in England forever? No. Are we selling LFC? No. Are talking with investors about LFC? Yes. Will something happen there? I believe so, but it won't be a sale. Have we sold anything in the past 20+ years?"
The Boston Red Sox owner has since attempted to make amends with the fan base and has stressed his commitment to the club via the Liverpool Echo.
“While we formalised a process that has identified potential investors for the club, we remain fully committed to the long-term success of the club,” he said. “That has been the case since day one in 2010. Our efforts every day have been and continue to be focused on the long-term health and competitiveness of the club.
John W. Henry was seen attending Liverpool's Champions League final against Real Madrid in 2022 (Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)“Investment in the club is never for the short term. This approach has been successful over the long haul with patience necessary from time to time. We’ve seen many football clubs go down unsustainable paths. We have and will continue to focus our attention on investing wisely in the transfer market and we remain incredibly proud of our squad.
“At the same time we continue investing in our training facilities, our main stand and currently the Anfield Road stand. These are all physical reflections of our resolve and how very seriously Fenway Sports Group takes its responsibilities for this great club. In regard to Liverpool Football Club, our commitment remains stronger than ever.”
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Significant changes in the squad have seen Liverpool undergo a transitional period with the team once again fighting at the top of the league. Klopp's side has enjoyed seven wins, three draws and the one Premier League defeat this season as they sit in third place.
The team faces Brentford next at Anfield on Sunday, November 12, and while three points would be the likely result, the chances of John W Henry being in attendance at the game would be the complete opposite.