BREAKING NEWS: Live from Anfield, ‘I’m Hearing Rumours’ – Keith Wyness: Mega-rich owners could sell club & buy Liverpool. According to reports, John Henry, the principal owner of Liverpool’s parent company Fenway Sports Group (FSG), forced and likely to sell club with a potential Saudi Arabian takeover of Liverpool FC.. strike90mins.com September

In a recent episode of *Football Insider’s Inside Track* podcast, Keith Wyness, former CEO of Everton and current football consultant, discussed the speculation regarding a possible Saudi Arabian takeover of Liverpool FC. Wyness, who worked at Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009 and now advises elite clubs, stated that a Saudi investment in Liverpool remains a remote possibility.

On September 10, *ESPN* reported that John Henry, the principal owner of Liverpool’s parent company Fenway Sports Group (FSG), has been working with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) to facilitate a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. These discussions took place in New York earlier this month and revolved around a significant $1 billion investment from Saudi Arabia into the PGA Tour.

Despite Henry’s engagement with PIF officials, Wyness, speaking to *Football Insider* on September 18, stressed that direct investment in Liverpool from Saudi Arabia is improbable. He noted that although PIF’s involvement in various sports ventures has fueled speculation, the likelihood of them acquiring Liverpool is currently low.

Wyness explained that for PIF to even contemplate investing in Liverpool, they would need to sell their interests in Newcastle United, which they acquired in 2021. Since then, Newcastle has established itself as a strong contender in the Premier League’s top half.

Responding to the rumors, Wyness remarked, “PIF would have to sell Newcastle if they were to come in at Liverpool. But we’re a long way from seeing how that would play out.” He acknowledged that speculation abounds due to PIF’s substantial financial resources. “At the moment, there are lots of rumors that I’m hearing because they’ve got lots of money,” he said. “When you have money, all these rumors fly – you’re either taking over golf, as they’re doing with LIV, or taking over all sorts of sports.”

The speculation regarding a potential acquisition of Liverpool by PIF has grown alongside the fund’s expanding influence in global sports. Their participation in the contentious LIV Golf project and recent discussions with the PGA Tour reflect their ambition to broaden their presence in various sports. This has led to conjecture that they might seek a more significant role in European football beyond owning Newcastle. However, the complexities involved in such a transaction cannot be ignored. The Premier League has strict ownership regulations that would likely prevent PIF from owning two clubs simultaneously, meaning any pursuit of Liverpool would require them to give up Newcastle. This would represent a significant shift, considering the considerable resources and effort already invested in Newcastle’s growth.

Wyness’s comments highlight that while PIF’s financial power generates considerable media speculation, the realities of ownership regulations and strategic considerations complicate such takeovers. Furthermore, Liverpool’s current ownership under FSG has been stable, despite occasional rumors of sales or investments. FSG’s willingness to collaborate with PIF on non-football ventures, like the PGA-LIV merger, does not necessarily indicate a desire for Saudi investment in their football operations.

Another factor to consider is the opinion of Liverpool supporters, who play a crucial role in the club’s identity and management. The fanbase has historically expressed strong views on ethical issues related to ownership, evident in their protests against the European Super League. A potential PIF takeover could face considerable backlash, given the controversies surrounding Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

While PIF’s presence in global sports continues to expand, Wyness suggests that any serious attempt to acquire Liverpool is still speculative. The fund seems focused on diversifying its sports investments without clear intentions to broaden its influence in English football beyond Newcastle.

Currently, the rumors of PIF selling Newcastle to pursue Liverpool are unsubstantiated. There is no solid evidence that such a transition is in the works. For now, PIF’s involvement in English football is firmly anchored in their ongoing investment in Newcastle United, where they are committed to enhancing the club’s infrastructure and competitiveness.

In conclusion, while the notion of PIF acquiring Liverpool generates intriguing headlines, Wyness points out that we remain far from that possibility. The complexities of Premier League ownership rules, coupled with strategic decisions for both PIF and FSG, suggest that a Saudi takeover at Anfield is unlikely in the near future.