Embarrassing’ $300m FSG call now a ‘masterclass’ as Liverpool value rises amid LeBron MVP snub

‘Embarrassing’ $300m FSG call now a ‘masterclass’ as Liverpool value rises amid LeBron MVP snub

Liverpool’s season is drawing to a close. As things stand, FSG looks likely to have to go without Champions League revenue, although five wins on the trot has at least made a belated fight of things.

Known for its self-sustaining philosophy, FSG would feel the loss of that income, making it even more challenging to restore Liverpool to the heights of the last few seasons. But like it or loathe it, many of its assets have enjoyed ‘cycles’ of success over the years, generally returning to the top after spending some time away.

The Boston Red Sox is a case in point. Hugely criticized for one particular trade not so long ago, the ’embarrassing’ call is now being hailed in some quarters as a potential ‘masterclass’.

READ MORE: Liverpool could use ‘Moneyball maestro’ perfect for FSG to overcome Jude Bellingham transfer blow

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Of course, one component of the FSG power structure is LeBron James, part-owner of the business after exchanging his initial direct stake in Liverpool. That share in the company was recently increased. But at the same time, he continues his active basketball career, and he is currently in the midst of a postseason run — but he just suffered a career-first snub.

As ever, there’s plenty to keep up with, so let’s dive into the Liverpool.com FSG round-up:

Liverpool receives new valuation

Perhaps encouraged by the money that changed hands in a ‘distressed’ sale of Chelsea, it was the turn of FSG to explore the value of its club earlier this season. News first broke in The Athletic that Liverpool had been ‘put up for sale’.

John Henry has since rowed back on that, with the official stance now being that Liverpool is seeking minority investment. There has been no movement on that front yet either, and the assumption is that any interest expressed so far has not been seen as sufficient.

But despite an apparently underwhelming response from the market, Liverpool just got a reminder that it remains in rude health, with the value of FSG’s asset continuing to rise.

According to the latest valuation from Sportico, Liverpool ranks fourth in the world, behind only Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Moreover, now valued at $4.7bn (£3.7bn/€4.3bn), FSG has presided over growth of 14 per cent in the last two years alone.

Liverpool.com says: A football club is ultimately worth as much as a buyer will pay for it, and Liverpool will remain a little perturbed by the significant interest in Manchester United and Chelsea, and the comparative lack of credible buyers and investors procured by FSG. But all of the club’s vital signs are clearly only heading in the right direction.

Likewise, everyone would agree that it is better for FSG to wait for the right investor. A major section of the Liverpool fanbase would object to a Qatar-backed bid of the kind currently on the table at Old Trafford, for instance. So a lack of movement on that front is not necessarily a negative.

When the time does come for FSG to cash in, there is no doubt that it will make a massive profit. With Liverpool having won everything under its tenure, it will go down as a mutually beneficial arrangement.

FSG turns ’embarrassing’ call around

It was a decision so controversial that it reverberated across the pond. A disproportionate number of Liverpool supporters probably know the name ‘Mookie Betts’, which was used in some quarters to question whether FSG were the right owners at Anfield.

A star player for the Boston Red Sox, FSG tabled an offer worth in excess of $300m (£239m/€273m) to Betts, but he ultimately left for the LA Dodgers in a much-maligned trade deal. He would lead them to the World Series the following season, coming second in MVP voting.

As recently as last December, that led ClutchPoints to describe the trade as ’embarrassing’ for FSG, claiming that it will ‘forever live on in infamy’. But in a major twist, that narrative is starting to be challenged.

The following season, Betts got no MVP votes for the first time since his rookie year, and suffered with a hip injury. More recently, on the Red Sox end, the players who went the other way are showing all the hallmarks of an FSG moneyball ‘masterclass’.

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That’s at least according to Over the Monster, a Red Sox fan site. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom has come in for huge amounts of criticism, but the long-term plan is emerging. Alex Verdugo and Connor Wong both came the other way when Betts was traded, and are now two of the leaders in ‘bWAR’ — a measure of value added compared to the typical player in the relevant position, as calculated by Baseball-Reference.

Another leader in terms of ‘wins above replacement’, Josh Winckowski arrived at the Red Sox as part of another controversial trade, this time the loss of Andrew Benintendi. It seems history may smile upon these ’embarrassing’ moves, in what would be a major win for the sustainable FSG model.

Liverpool.com says: FSG will never make itself universally popular with its self-sustaining model, which does have the tendency to lend itself to a boom-and-bust model. But if it keeps Liverpool at the top table for the long-term, even on a cyclical basis, it makes them a lot better than plenty of other potential owners.

There are question marks as to how much these cycles can translate across to football, however, with Champions League qualification not guaranteed, causing any bad season to affect the bottom line in a big way. As Liverpool seeks to enter its second cycle under Jürgen Klopp, the focus will be on how that transition is managed. Hopefully, controversial calls like backing away from Jude Bellingham are made to look inspired in time, just as Bloom’s reputation is slowly creeping up again with certain observers in Boston.

LeBron MVP snub

Like Betts, LeBron James is someone who has grown accustomed to receiving MVP recognition. Unsurprisingly, his streak goes back far further than his baseball counterpart, with the NBA ‘GOAT’ contender having received a vote for the award in each of his 19 seasons to date.

However, in his 20th year, he has failed to receive that recognition for the very first time in his career. Joel Embiid won the award, and LeBron missed out entirely, despite helping to inspire the LA Lakers’ late push to the playoffs.

Indeed, he could still take the Lakers all the way, which would make the MVP snub look particularly strange. But he has been punished for his slow start to the season and his various injury problems, bringing an end to a truly historic run.

Liverpool.com says: The FSG part-owner should obviously be celebrated for his 19-year streak, not derided for his ‘failure’ at the 20th attempt. And the greatest answer to the critics would be winning the Championship with the Lakers.

Still, LeBron is a reminder to Liverpool that even the greatest ever eventually slow down. With age a major factor ahead of the anticipated rebuild in the transfer market, FSG will be hoping to set the team up for a new, prolonged cycle at the top level.

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Paul Ince lauds Alexis Mac Allister with insight into how he would improve Liverpool

Alexis Mac Allister scored the penalty that saw Brighton beat Manchester United on Thursday, with the World Cup winner attracting interest from Liverpool ahead of the summer window

Paul Ince has sung the praises of Liverpool target Alexis Mac 

Former Liverpool star Paul Ince has lavished praise on Alexis Mac Allister after the World Cup winner stepped up to score the penalty which saw Brighton beat Manchester United.

The Seagulls earned an injury-time spot-kick after Luke Shaw committed a handball in the box, with referee Andre Marriner pointing to the spot after checking the pitchside VAR screen. Mac Allister was the man to take the penalty and he confidently fired past David de Gea.

It was a crucial win for Brighton, who hold hopes of overtaking Liverpool to claim the final Europa League qualification spot. But while they may take that place off the Reds, the Seagulls could find themselves coming under threat from Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Mac Allister has emerged as a potential target for Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window. And Ince, who spent two years at Anfield, has highlighted how the Argentine would be an assett in Klopp’s squad.

“For me, it’s not just about the goal. Watching you play tonight, it’s your work rate, your passing ability, you’re just an all-round player, you know?” Ince said as he interviewed Mac Allister on Sky Sports.

“Me and Jamie [Redknapp] have played in midfield and we just loved watching you play because everything you do, you do it correctly. You get back, you get up, you get down, you score goals. It was lovely to watch you play today.”

HAVE YOUR SAY! Would Alexis Mac Allister be a good signing for Liverpool? Comment below.

Mac Allister scored the winning penalty as Brighton defeated Manchester United

Ince continued to gush over the 24-year-old after the interview had ended and Mac Allister returned to the dressing room. But the former England international warned him about moving in the summer.

“We were standing next to a World Cup winner. Someone who scored in the last minute against Manchester United, but he’s so humble. He’s talking about the young South American kids that he wants to look after – and he’s young himself,” Ince added.

“But, it’s not about him, it’s about the team ethic and he works within that. He’s happy to tow the line, he’s happy to do the dirty bit of football, but he’s also a very, very talented player.

“The only worry for me, we sat here before the game and spoke to Paul Barber about clubs coming in for players who are playing well, and he’s going to be one of those. He’s gonna be one of those players that clubs are looking at, I hate to say it but I think he could be one of those.”

Mac Allister was delighted to help Brighton exact revenge for being beaten in the FA Cup semi-finals by United. He said: “It was similar to Wembley. I was a little nervous, it is the last minute, but I am very happy for the team.

“It is easy to play in this team. My teammates are fantastic so it is down to them as well. They help me to be a better player every day. I have been here 3 1/2 years and I am very grateful for what this club has given me. I am very happy to be here.”

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Liverpool could use’Moneyball maestro’perfect for FSG to overcome Jude Bellingham transfer blow

Jürgen Klopp is eager to renovate his engine room once the transfer window opens this summer. His trusted lieutenants have served Liverpool relentlessly throughout his tenure on Merseyside but now, fresh legs are required considering those players have grown tired and worn.

Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcântara are both aged 32, and Fabinho is 29. Moreover, James Milner looks destined to join Brighton and Hove Albion on a free transfer in the coming months, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta also set to depart once their contracts expire.

Klopp is going to need at least two but perhaps even three new bodies in his midfield department ahead of next season, with Mason Mount, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch tipped for high-profile switches from their respective clubs. Last week, a lesser-known player emerged as a potential target, with Liverpool said to be interested in Feyenoord’s Orkun Kökçü, per De Telegraaf via Sport Witness.

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The Eredivisie star isn’t quite a marquee name. He is inclined to drift under the radar in comparison to high-profile targets such as Jude Bellingham, but he’s made quite the impact in the Netherlands this term, establishing himself as a do-it-all talisman under upcoming coach Arne Slot.

Kökçü has painted himself as a dynamic and confident player in Rotterdam, even though he’s just 22 years old. The Turkish international shows up as a prominent figure in the numbers in particular, with Liverpool known for favoring data-driven recruitment under Fenway Sports Group.

Feyenoord has employed 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 for the most part this season, with Kökçü typically deployed as a number eight or as a number six alongside a partner. Regardless of his role, he always makes his presence known, with just two players in the division averaging more touches than him per 90 minutes, both of whom represent Ajax.

Photo by NESimages/Herman Dingler/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

(Image: NESimages/Herman Dingler/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Kökçü has played more progressive passes than any of his Eredivisie peers with 317. In fact, that figure places him in a league of his own, with second-placed Steven Berghuis on 263, followed by Liverpool-linked Jurriën Timber — who is a defender accustomed to playing in deeper areas — on 260.

The Turkish maestro is attack-minded at heart, finding the penalty box with more passes than everyone in the Dutch top-flight except for Berghuis, Dušan Tadić and Václav Černý this term, even though he’s more of a central midfielder than a forward who occupies the final third from week to week.

It is also worth noting that Kökçü has eight goals and two assists to his name this season, and he’s captain of Feyenoord which perhaps offers an insight into his leadership and character. The academy graduate also takes control over set-pieces under Slot, assuming responsibility for corners, free kicks and penalties.

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The true height of his ceiling remains to be seen, but as a ‘Moneyball’ solution to Liverpool’s concerns in the middle of the park, Kökçü could make plenty of sense, especially considering his offensive nature and suitability to being deployed as a number eight within Klopp’s new-look 3-2-5 system.

There is a question mark attached to whether he has the necessary defensive qualities attached to his game to cope as part of the Reds pressing unit — and it is worth noting that he is only around 1.75m (5ft 9in) tall — but as a midfielder who offers real value and command when he’s in possession, Kökçü looks like a smart transfer solution who is worth exploring.