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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Virgil van Dijk responds to FSG putting Liverpool up for sale as takeover looms

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has insisted that the Reds will remain one of the world's biggest clubs regardless of who owns the Anfield-based outfit.

Last month saw the first sign of reports that current owners Fenway Sports Group had placed Liverpool up for sale and instructed Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs to oversee the process of finding interest that would be willing to pay the £3.7bn price-tag.

Since then, the Boston Globe, owned by FSG figurehead John Henry himself, has reported that the company have opted to try and pursue a partial sale in a bid to generate the kind of transfer funds that would see them able to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle United.

The whole saga has prompted plenty of discussion surrounding the long-term future of the Reds, though Van Dijk has publicly claimed he is calm and has full faith those running things will make the right call.

Speaking after he helped guide the Netherlands into the last eight of the World Cup following a 3-1 win over the USA on Saturday evening, the centre-back said: "I have full trust in Liverpool that they will be fine. We are a very established club, one of the biggest in the world and that will stay that way."

The Dutch defender continued as he added: "Whoever comes in to fill in those roles, they will do very well. I am aware of everything that is happening.

John W. Henry, owner of FSG, is seeking a partial sale of Liverpool (Getty Images)

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"Whether I am taking it in and doing something with it right now, I don’t think so because the full focus is on the World Cup but hopefully everything will be sorted and clarified when I am back. At this point, I am definitely not thinking about it."

Van Dijk's comments come just after fresh reports emerged claiming Liverpool are set to be the subject of a Saudi-Qatar partnership bid that will put forward an offer thought to be in the excess of £4bn according to claims in the Middle East.

The Daily Mail have claimed that FSG have held talks with two Middle-East-based consortiums over a potential takeover of the club. Jordan-based outlet Albawaba have suggested ex-Saudi Arabia international Saeed Al-Owairan has publicised plans for a potential Saudi-Qatar combined offer.

While appearing on Egyptian television programme Remontada, Owairan laid bare the plans to form a partnership between the two Middle-Eastern countries. With that being said, no further details were provided on how a potential bid for the Premier League giants could look.

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