FSG’s Multi-Club Plans and What They Mean for Liverpool | OneFootball

FSG’s Multi-Club Ambitions and What It Means for Liverpool

Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), are pressing ahead with plans to add another club to their portfolio. It’s a project that has been in motion for over a year, with Michael Edwards tasked with leading the acquisition since his return to the club in early 2024. Yet, despite detailed scouting of potential options, progress has been slow.

James Pearce of The Athletic reports that after a failed attempt to buy Bordeaux last year, FSG have now completed an audit of 20 potential clubs before narrowing their shortlist down to four. The identities of these clubs remain undisclosed, but European and South American markets are said to be under consideration.

With UEFA now allowing clubs under the same ownership to compete in different European competitions, the benefits of this move are clear. The challenge, however, lies in selecting the right club and integrating it into Liverpool’s long-term strategy.

Strategic Expansion or Just Following Trends?

Multi-club ownership is increasingly becoming the norm in elite football. Manchester City’s City Football Group (CFG) operate across multiple continents, Red Bull have mastered a streamlined talent pipeline between clubs like RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg, while Todd Boehly’s Chelsea are also heading down a similar path.

FSG’s move, therefore, isn’t revolutionary—it’s reactive. As Edwards himself stated, “I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.” It’s a recognition that the game has moved on, and Liverpool can’t afford to stand still.

However, the challenge will be ensuring that this is more than just an exercise in empire-building. Liverpool’s entire recruitment model is based on careful planning and measured decision-making. If the club they choose to purchase doesn’t fit into that system, it risks becoming a vanity project rather than a genuine asset to Liverpool’s footballing vision.

Finding the Right Fit

Pearce’s report mentions that FSG had previously looked at clubs like Cruzeiro in Brazil, while an independent study last year identified Toulouse, KVC Westerlo, Gil Vicente, and Dundee United as ideal candidates. These clubs, based in leagues with lower financial barriers, could offer Liverpool a way to test and develop talent before moving them to Anfield when ready.

Yet, there’s a clear distinction between a well-structured, multi-club model and simply owning another team for the sake of it.

Long-Term Implications for Liverpool

Assuming FSG do go ahead with this purchase, what does it mean for Liverpool? Will we see an influx of young players coming through the new club’s ranks, similar to how City funnel talent through their global network? Or will it serve more as a business investment, with Liverpool seeing little direct benefit?

The key to success will be integration. If Edwards, Julian Ward, and Pedro Marques can structure this in a way that supports Liverpool’s first team, youth setup, and overall sporting strategy, it could be a masterstroke. But if it’s merely a financial exercise with no clear sporting direction, it could become an unnecessary distraction.

For now, Liverpool fans will watch with interest, waiting to see if FSG’s next move strengthens the club’s long-term prospects or simply adds another layer of corporate complexity.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this development is intriguing but also raises questions. FSG have always been seen as careful and methodical, so any expansion must be about improving Liverpool’s sporting fortunes, not just financial growth.

One major concern is whether this new club will serve as a feeder team in the way CFG uses Girona or Red Bull Salzburg functions within their model. If done correctly, it could give Liverpool an edge in talent development. But if it’s just another business move to increase FSG’s revenue, fans might not see any real benefits on the pitch.

It all comes down to execution. If Edwards and his team can integrate this new club seamlessly into Liverpool’s footballing strategy, it could be a forward-thinking move. But if it turns into a vanity project with little real impact on Liverpool’s success, supporters will rightly question its value.