Liverpool fans' reaction to banner flown before Man Utd massacre spoke volumes
Whoever it was who shelled out to fly a banner above Anfield calling for the removal of Fenway Sports Group as Liverpool's owners would no doubt have been hoping their actions would be a huge talking point on Monday.
But thanks to Liverpool's efforts, and Manchester United's lack of them, it is merely a footnote.
A banner reading 'FSG out - Klopp in - Enough is enough' was seen circling above the ground shortly before kick-off on Sunday afternoon, with some supporters unhappy at FSG's plan to seemingly stay in majority control of Liverpool after previous reports that they would be selling up.
Just prior to the World Cup it was suggested that FSG would be ready to walk away from the club they have owned since 2010, however it was never entirely clear that they were seeking a full sale of their prized asset.
Far more likely was the search for minority investment in a club they bought for £300m 12-and-a-half years ago but is now worth an estimated 10 times that. Indeed, FSG could recoup their investment with letting go of as little as 10 per cent of the Reds.
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The banner could be seen above Anfield before the match (PA)FSG head John W Henry confirmed that stance last month, telling the Boston Sports Journal : "Yes. I know there has been a lot of conversation and quotes about LFC, but I keep to the facts: we merely formalised an ongoing process.
"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?"
With competing interest in the potential sale of Manchester United, Chelsea's spending under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital and the state-backed regimes at Manchester City and Newcastle, scrutiny on Liverpool's ownership and their current position in the table has been fierce.
The Reds have won every trophy possible under FSG, but with this season being a below-par one compared to previous campaigns, and the widespread belief that the club need to revamp their squad - an opinion seemingly shared by Jurgen Klopp - then many have turned their ire towards the owners.
However, when the banner appeared above the Anfield stands on Sunday the reaction was a telling one.
Liverpool thrashed rivals Manchester United 7-0 (Getty Images)There was the usual pre-match noise that accompanies a fixture of such magnitude, but when the banner was seen it was met with loud boos from the home supporters.
Not everyone inside Anfield would agree with that sentiment of course, but it was clear that many wanted to make their voices heard in contrast with what the banner said.
What happened on the pitch made the pre-match incident a quickly forgettable one anyway, and largely a waste of money too.
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