John Henry made Man Utd promise before completing Liverpool deal - 'We're doing this'

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCFSG chief John Henry was told Liverpool could be like Manchester United before he bought the club in 2010, although he had even bigger ambitions in mind for the RedsLiverpool owner and FSG chief John W. Henry.(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Liverpool owner John Henry set out an ambitious plan to “beat Manchester United” during his discussions to buy the Reds nearly 16 years ago.Henry’s Fenway Sports Group (FSG) completed its takeover of Liverpool back in October 2010, having bought the club at it’s lowest ebb following Tom Hicks and George Gillett’s disastrous spell at the helm.Since then, the Reds have been re-established as a major force, having won the Premier League twice and the Champions League, among other trophies, under Henry’s ownership.

FSG though has found itself on the wrong side of the club’s supporters on a number of occasions though, not least with the 2021 European Super League plans, and the recent decision to raise ticket prices at Anfield.READ MORE: Liverpool handed boost without kicking ball as Champions League hopes endedREAD MORE: John Henry sends timely message to Liverpool fans after Anfield protestsNevertheless, Henry has been recognized for his achievements after being awarded the Sports Business Journal’s Lifetime Achievement honor.In a wide-ranging feature with the publication which covers his sporting portfolio, which also includes the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins, it’s detailed how Henry and FSG came to acquiring Liverpool.Despite originally holding no interest in soccer, Henry was eventually talked into considering buying Liverpool by the Red Sox’s senior vice-president of corporate sales Joe Januszewski, himself a fan of the Reds.John Henry meets the press after purchasing Liverpool in October 2010(Image: Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)It’s suggested that Henry saw parallels between the Red Sox and Liverpool, with both teams boasting rich histories, only to have endured lengthy droughts without winning the top honor in their respective countries.Henry was also drawn to the prospect of being able to market the club globally without interference, something that he was unable to do with the Red Sox and the MLB.“In that meeting, when I heard all you can do — and it’s in bankruptcy? Wow,” Henry said.He was also told that a properly capitalized and managed Liverpool would be able to compete with Manchester United, which was still the major superpower in the Premier League at that stage, and on the verge of overtaking the Reds’ tally of 18 league titles.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Upon hearing that, Henry sought to correct the banker advizing him.“We’re not doing this to compete with United,” Henry said. “We’re doing this to beat Man United.”From there, Henry and FSG traveled to the United Kingdom before eventually completing the deal to buy Liverpool in October 2010.Although United went on to win a 19th and 20th title in the following years, the Reds have since gone on to draw back level with their great rivals, and - despite sitting six points behind them this season - reaffirm their status as England’s most successful club.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCJohn HenryFSGManchester United FC