Liverpool owners seek Manchester United, Arsenal advice

By Michael Penkman, Reporter | 18 April 2013

Liverpool owners seek Man Utd, Arsenal advice

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre says that owners John Henry and Tom Werner have had some guidance from Manchester United executive David Gill and Arsenal's Ivan Gazidis.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has revealed that owners John Henry and Tom Werner have sought advice from their Premier League counterparts.

The American duo, whose company Fenway Sports Group also own the baseball team Boston Red Sox, bought the Merseyside outfit from Tom Hicks and George Gillett in October 2010.

Ayre said that, in an attempt to better understand their rivals' approach, they have been in contact with Manchester United executive David Gill and Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis.

The Liverpool-born businessman believes that this method is "healthy" and shows that Henry and Werner have the Reds' best interests at heart.

"He and Tom are both very open in their approach. They'll contact David at United and Ivan at Arsenal. That's healthy," The Mirror quotes Ayre as saying. "'Let's get a rounded view of the sport and how we should be doing things'.

"It's better to have an owner who is taking a genuine interest and is well informed, rather than someone who says, 'I was successful in baseball, so I can do that in soccer'.

"They both put a lot of time into the team and into the game. That bodes well for Liverpool."

FSG's portfolio also includes NASCAR team Roush Fenway Racing and regional cable TV station New England Sports Network.