Lijnders plays down FSG ‘speculation’, claims Klopp ‘wouldn’t be at’ Liverpool if they were bad owners

Pep Lijnders has responded to reports suggesting that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are planning to sell Liverpool with them ‘inviting offers’.
It comes as no surprise that the Liverpool assistant manager’s press conference on Tuesday afternoon was dominated by talk about the club’s owners.
His comments come 24 hours after The Athletic reported that FSG are open to offers from interested parties to buy Liverpool.
The ownership group responded to this report by suggesting that they would “consider new shareholders” but they did indicate that they remain focused on Liverpool.
A fresh report from The Athletic on Tuesday morning claimed that FSG will sell up if the right bid comes in.
Lijnders was asked about his take on the situation on Tuesday afternoon. He was quick to defend the owners and he accused the press of “just speculating”.
“Everybody who knows us as a club knows we have a strong relationship with the owners. I always know the owners act in the best interests of the club and always have done,” Lijnders told reporters (via Liverpool Echo).
“You are just speculating. The statement was clear. It’s nothing new for a club to try to find new investors.
“For me, they are good owners. They tied down one of the best managers in the world for over seven years. That says a lot.
“They also tied down our top players. And we have a stable Academy. They have invested in it, and they have invested in this training ground, one of the best in world football. It wasn’t easy to leave Melwood. Then there’s the Main Stand and the new stand.
“If they weren’t good owners we wouldn’t be sat here. We have won a lot of cups and a lot of international prizes.
“Do I feel they are here for the long-term? I think the statement was really clear, to be honest.”
He continued: “Of course, when we signed the deal, it was with them but we are not naive to not think football doesn’t change. But, I have so much respect for them.”
Back to matters on the pitch, Liverpool have endured a rollercoaster season so far as they are already out of the title race.
Their results have picked up a bit of late though as they have beaten Napoli and Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool are back in action on Tuesday night as they face Derby County in the Carabao Cup.
Ahead of this game, Ljinders has spoken about Liverpool’s inconsistency this season.
“If there was one reason why we have been inconsistent, that would be easy,” Ljinders added.
“We were up to speed in Community Shield but from a general point of view, if you go 1-0 down early on, then your offensive game has to be really good.
“It’s good that we have been able to correct a few things and put in some solutions. After Champions League and Tottenham, it feels we’re every time a little bit closer to who we really are.”
On Darwin Nunez: “He will be a good signing, I already think he is one. He is a proper striker, an addition to what we have.”
READ MORE: Ranking the Premier League clubs on how badly they might be affected by the World Cup