Pep Lijnders says Liverpool are focused on football despite the club being put up for sale by owners Fenway Sports Group.
FSG – the club’s American ownership who have owned the Reds for more than a decade – are understood to be willing to listen to offers from interested parties and a full sales presentation has been produced.
Liverpool’s owners released a statement confirming the club had received interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders and that all offers would be considered.
Lijnders, the club’s assistant manager, addressed the news ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Derby County and insisted that the squad remain focused on football despite the announcement.
“Everybody who has seen us over the past few years, everybody who knows us as a club knows we have a strong relationship with the owners,” Lijnders told his pre-match press conference.
“We knew before, of course. We knew about the statement, but nothing more than you guys [the media] knew. What I would like to say is that I always know the owners act in the best interests of the club. They always did, I believe they always tried, at least.
“This relationship was very important for us and always will be. I think the statement was very clear.
“How did it distract us? To be honest, this is what I always liked about our club. We are so focused. There was a little talk between Jurgen [Klopp] and me but from that moment on we start focussing. We have a big game coming up. This competition means so much for us. If there is one competition that represents the whole club is this one – so I can’t wait.”
Pep Lijnders on Liverpool's injury list:
"Naby will be difficult, he’s still training individually. Let’s see for Southampton. Millie will definitely be ready for Southampton but this game [against Derby] comes too early for tomorrow." #lfc [lfc] pic.twitter.com/vtDqcd15WG
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) November 8, 2022
Lijnders was full of praise for the ownership and believes the decision comes with a focus on the club’s best interests. He believes the American’s commitment to securing new deals for the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah indicates their desire to see Liverpool progress.
“The statement was clear. It is nothing new that the club tries to find new investors. To repeat what I said, they are acting in the best interests of the club to try to take the club forward. I believe they always did.
“For me they are good owners and I will explain a few reasons why. First one, they tied down one of the best managers in the world for seven-plus years. I think that says a lot.
“Secondly, they tied down the best players in the squad. The difference between the world top and sub top is that you have to sell your best players, but they tied down players like Mo Salah.
“What is more important in my opinion is that they have a stable academy. They invested in the academy and in where we are sitting now, which is one of the best training grounds in the British football, in my opinion.
“And of course they invested in the main stand, so they made a lot of good decisions.
“If they were not good owners we would not be sitting here – and we won a lot of cups.”
