Liverpool make their European Super League stance clear as new format emerges

On Feb 9, 2023

Liverpool have no intention of partaking in a European Super League (ESL) despite the controversial competition making a revamped resurgence.

Originally proposed in April 2021, the Super League received heavy backlash from the wider football community after 12 teams, including Liverpool, signed up to form a breakaway European division. The concept was to increase the number of high-profile fixtures between top dogs of Europe with no capacity for relegation – though the division never came to fruition as all but three sides, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus, quickly backtracked following substantial public scrutiny.

The three remaining clubs, who argue UEFA hold a monopoly over the domestic game on the continent, are still involved in a legal battle with Europe’s governing body and a final ruling is expected this Spring.

And despite new plans coming to the front on Thursday, it’s understood Liverpool will not be a part of the remodelled competition. The club are keen to stand by their September statement following a particularly bruising affair for club owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

“Our involvement in the proposed ESL plans has been discontinued,” reads the official statement. “We are absolutely committed to following that through and there should be no ambiguity to suggest otherwise. We are acting on the best legal advice and approach to appropriately end our involvement.”

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Liverpool fans hit out at plans to join the European Super League in 2021
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

FSG have since placed the club on the market
(Image: MediaNews Group via Getty Images)

FSG’s association with the Super League caused irreparable damage between supporters and the ownership with John W. Henry recording a lengthy apology video accepting full responsibility. Just 18 months later, the club was put up for sale by the American businessman.

Under fresh proposals from the Super League, entry will be based on sporting performance and contain a multi-divisional format including between 60 and 80 clubs. The ESL is now planned as an open competition, with qualification coming from how a side fared in their domestic division – in the exact same manner as the Champions League.