Ten years ago, Liverpool took a step into the unknown.
After a protracted saga, Fenway Sports Group completed its £300m takeover of the clu b, promising a new and exciting era at Anfield.
A decade later, FSG has achieved its primary ambition: returning Liverpool to the Premier League summit.
It has been far from smooth sailing, however, with numerous ups and downs along the way.
As FSG celebrates 10 years of ownership, we look back on the major checkpoints during their storied tenure.
October 2010 - FSG takeover
Following a battle in the UK and US courts, FSG wrestled control away from Tom Hicks and completed its takeover of Liverpool with new owner John W Henry pledging to tackle the club’s issues both on and off the pitch.
“We really, through all the work we've done over the last two months, saw the challenges and problems which exist and we've got to work to address those," said Henry, who had been the owner of the Boston Red Sox since 2002.
January 8, 2011: Hodgson sacked
Following a string of disappointing results, Roy Hodgson became the first managerial casualty of the FSG era, leaving by mutual consent only six months into his three-year contract.
Club legend Kenny Dalglish was put in charge until the end of the season, guiding the Reds to sixth in the table.
January 31, 2011: Suarez and Carroll arrive, Torres leaves on dramatic deadline day
Only three weeks on from Hodgson’s departure, Liverpool fans endured a rollercoaster of emotions on transfer deadline day.
While Fernando Torres left to join Chelsea in acrimonious fashion, the blow of the Spaniard’s departure was softened by the arrivals of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.
Carroll failed to live up to expectations, of course, but Suarez proceeded to become one of the greatest forwards in Liverpool history, scoring 82 goals in 133 games before moving to Barcelona in 2014.
May 12, 2011: Dalglish appointed
After a promising spell as caretaker boss, Dalglish was handed a three-year deal.
February 26, 2012: First trophy
Liverpool beat Cardiff City on penalties to clinch the League Cup following a 2-2 draw at Wembley.
Anthony Gerrard, the cousin of Liverpool skipper Steven, missed the decisive kick as FSG celebrated their first piece of silverware.
May 15, 2012: Dalglish dismissed
Less than three months on, however, Dalglish is relieved of his duties after a disappointing eighth-place finish in the league.
The Scot’s departure came a month after director of football Damien Comolli’s exit during a tumultuous period for the Reds.
June 1, 2012: Rodgers appointed
Brendan Rodgers is appointed as Dalglish’s successor with the Northern Irishman tasked with taking Liverpool to the next level.
Rodgers was appointed on the back of his impressive stint as Swansea City boss, having brought the Welsh club up from the Championship in 2011.
July 24, 2013: Henry dig at Arsenal
Arsenal bid £40m plus £1 bid for Suarez. John Henry tweets the following in response: “What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?”
May 26, 2014: New deal for Rodgers
Rodgers signs a new long-term deal at Anfield after guiding Liverpool to second, returning the Reds to the Champions League for the first time in four years.
May 24, 2015: Gerrard leaves
Steven Gerrard ends his 17-year career at Liverpool, bowing out with 710 appearances before joining LA Galaxy. A month later, the club sign Roberto Firmino.
October 4, 2015: Rodgers sacked
Rodgers’ three-year reign comes to an end as he is dismissed following a 1-1 draw with Everton, which left his side 10th in the table.
October 8, 2015: Klopp appointed
Jurgen Klopp is appointed boss on a three-year deal. The German had been out of work since the end of the 2014/15 season after leaving Borussia Dortmund.
Expectations are high given Klopp’s attractive style of football, which helped Dortmund topple Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga in 2011 and 2012.
February 28, 2016: Klopp loses first final
Klopp is unable to clinch his first piece of silverware just four months into the job as Liverpool lose the League Cup final to Manchester City on penalties.
May 18, 2016: Europa League near-miss
Liverpool’s season ends in heartache as they surrender a one-goal lead to lose 3-1 to Sevilla in the Europa League final in Basel.
Daniel Sturridge scored for Liverpool but it was not enough as Klopp’s men missed out on a Champions League spot.
July 8, 2016: Klopp signs new deal
Klopp commits his long-term future to Anfield as he pens a new six-year deal, keeping him at the club until 2022.
The owners said it would have been “irresponsible” not to offer him a fresh contract after leading Liverpool to two finals in his first seven months at the helm.
Summer 2016: Key transfers
Liverpool sign Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum from Southampton and Newcastle United respectively. Both players have since become key figures under Klopp.
June 22, 2017: Salah arrives
Mohamed Salah is signed from Roma for £34m. The Egyptian proves an instant Kop favourite, scoring 44 goals during his first season at Anfield.
January 1, 2018: Reds sign Van Dijk
Liverpool smash their transfer record to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for £75m, making him the world’s most expensive defender at the time.
May 26, 2018: Champions League heartache
Liverpool lose the Champions League final 3-1 to Real Madrid. Salah suffers an injury early in the match and while Mane levels after Karim Benzema’s opener, Gareth Bale scores twice to deliver Real’s third successive European Cup.
June 1, 2019: Champions League glory
Liverpool win their first trophy under Klopp as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in Madrid to clinch the Champions League.
Salah and Divock Origi score in each half to secure the club’s sixth European Cup, providing a thrilling consolation after missing out on the Premier League to Manchester City by a single point.
June 26, 2020: The promised land
FSG’s ultimate ambition is achieved as Klopp leads his dominant Reds side to the Premier League title.
Liverpool were simply untouchable, finishing 18 points clear of Manchester City. The club are denied the traditional trophy celebrations, however, due to social distancing regulations.
September 18, 2020: Thiago signs
The Reds make their first statement signing as champions, bringing in Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich on a four-year deal. Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota are also added as Klopp strengthens his squad prior to the club’s title defence.
