Liverpool are braced for a lengthy legal process as they attempt to extricate themselves from their European Super League agreement.
Fenway Sports Group prompted outrage among Reds supporters when they confirmed on Sunday evening the club were one of 12 founding members in the proposed breakaway league.
Fans voiced their fury on social media, with banners placed outside the Kop at Anfield and protests taking place at Elland Road ahead of Monday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Leeds United.
The following evening, the Reds confirmed their intention to step away from the project less than two hours after a coordinated message from Liverpool players on Twitter and Instagram that they were against the Super League, with principal owner John Henry apologising to supporters on Wednesday morning.
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Now Liverpool have started to take the first steps towards withdrawing from their agreement with the ESL, which club insiders admit is a "complex situation" due to the unprecedented nature of events.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who remains the head of the ESL, has stated the 12 clubs signed a "legally binding contract" and that nobody has officially left.
However, on Thursday evening only Real, Barcelona and Juventus remained fully committed to the scheme, with AC Milan having all but joined Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in confirming they have walked away.
It has been claimed each Premier League will lose up to £8million having bought equity stakes in the Super League to help create the competition's infrastructure.
Liverpool, though, have decided along with the other five English clubs that taking such a financial hit is a small price to pay following such a fiercely adverse reaction to the proposals.
