‘I’m keeping a very close eye on the big players, Michael Edwards is under pressure at Liverpool’
Liverpool could boost their financial position further if talks for KKR to acquire Arctos go through.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has given his verdict on the latest at Liverpool.
US private capital group KKR are in talks to acquire Arctos, who have a minority stake in Liverpool‘s ownership group.
Liverpool want to build a multi-club ownership model, and they ended their talks in buying Spanish club Getafe in November due to the cost of the deal.
Liverpool joining with ‘very wealthy partners’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes further investment will boost Liverpool in their efforts to build a multi-club ownership model.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that chief executive Michael Edwards could be facing “pressure” at Liverpool.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, look, I’m keeping a very close eye on all the big private equity players in America right now and watching all their moves. Really what this means is that, you know with KKR investing into Arctos, it just means a consolidation of power and KKR are one of the big ones. They’ve got, you know, big resources.
“All it means is that Liverpool are really, you know, with very, very wealthy partners. It’s the one thing that surprised me though as a result of that is why they haven’t moved on the multi-club ownership [MCO] situation. You know, we know that they’ve been through three or four different club targets, Marseille, Malaga, Bordeaux, and nothing’s happened.
“But those guys are anxious to spend the cash and make those investments right now, because we’re seeing a lot of people, you know, buying up situations. But certainly I’m surprised, and I think that will push the Liverpool group again.
“We were just singing Michael Edwards’ praises and now it seems like he’ll be getting pressure. Where’s the next MCO target? What’s going to happen with the football team?
“He’s now going to be having a pretty busy day right now and he’s got some seriously, as I say, wealthy, clever owners. KKR are serious players. All it means is going up a step in terms of the people that they’re playing with and those sharks can bite so people are going to watch.”
Liverpool wary of losing £80m in revenue
On the pitch, Liverpool could lose up to £80million in revenue if they do not qualify for next season’s Champions League.
After a poor run of form, Liverpool are now unbeaten in their last four Premier League games, and sit just two points off the top four.
The pressure on manager Arne Slot has eased, but the Dutchman faces a stern test next away at Tottenham.