Liverpool fans
Liverpool fans want to be consulted on any potential takeover

The future of the club is uncertain after the owners said they will consider new shareholders.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which bought Liverpool in 2010 for £300m, is "inviting offers" for the club, reported The Athletic.

There is a chance that one of the world's biggest football clubs could be sold.

How successful has the FSG era been?

The American company, which also owns the Boston Red Sox baseball team, said it was committed to the success of the club.

Twelve years have passed since they took over at the club.

He was brought in as manager in 2015, helped change the environment at the club and has delivered a trophy and a title.

The world's most expensive defender and goalkeeper, as well as developing 'bargain' buys like Mohamed Salah into world-class talents, have all been signed by the Reds.

By the end of the financial year that ended in June, the club had posted a record post-tax profit of £106m, despite the fact that most of the money was used to pay off debts.

Plans for a new stadium in Stanley Park were abandoned by the owners, who gave a loan for the Main Stand's renovation.

A new training ground has been built at a cost of £50 million and will be finished next summer.

What has gone wrong?

There have been successes and controversy on the field.

A proposed ticket price increase in 2016 and plans to place non-playing staff on the government's furlough scheme during the Covid-19 lock down caused anger and U-turns.

The Intellectual Property Office turned down the attempt to trademark the word.

The failed plans for the creation of a European Super League brought more criticism.

The Reds were runners-up in the league last season and are currently in the eighth spot.

It has become difficult for clubs to compete financially with teams backed by wealthy states.

Three world football clubs are able to do what they want with their finances. "They can do what they want, but it's legal and everything, fine, but they can't do what they want."

"We have to look at it and say 'we need that and we need that and we have to look here and make it younger'."

In August, he said he wanted to risk a bit more.

John W Henry with Jurgen Klopp
John Henry, who heads FSG, hired Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager seven years ago

Why would they sell now?

Football finance expert.

Some of the tentative interest they have had over the last couple of years has prompted them to try out the market. Someone might be willing to take over.

There were over 200 bids for the property. They will have done their sums with a view to making a significant return on the initial £300m.

I think they will either go for a whole sale or hold on to the club in order to make more money and get more value from it in the future.

Over the last seven or eight years, the 'Moneyball' concept around player recruitment and retention has made a huge difference to the success of the club.

Future owners will be a concern for supporters.

The banks being linked to the club are very serious.

Who could buy them?

There is a good chance that the club will be sold by the end of the season.

American investors will most likely be looking at the club.

If those investors are coming from overseas, the deal is even more attractive.

The Chinese government has made it difficult for corporations to invest in football.

In May, a group led by American investor Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital paid over four billion dollars for the English soccer team.

The club was put up for sale prior to Roman Abramovich's sanction.

The price included a commitment of over one billion dollars over the next ten years.

Depending on the level of interest in the club, the numbers coming out for the club are between 3.5 billion and 4 billion dollars.

I'm not sure if there are many domestically that could afford to buy the club.

Liverpool won the league title for the first time in 30 years in 2020
Liverpool won the league title for the first time in 30 years in 2020

What do the fans think?

The most important thing is that fans are consulted.

The people are surprised by the news. We are probably set for a more turbulent few months than people thought, and it's quite unnerving and frightening.

There is a lot of differing opinions. When it comes to transfers, fans would love to have no ceiling, but would be reluctant for the club to be owned by a state.

It could be a case of being careful when it comes to what you want.

If the next period is focused on the ownership, it could have an effect on the pitch.

Fans' voices have to be heard.

The club has been asked for clarification over the possible sale.

The Supporters Board is expected to be involved in some part of the process so that supporters are front and center of any sale and the first thoughts of prospective owners.

How to follow Liverpool on the BBC bannerLiverpool banner footer