Jamie Redknapp claims he understands Liverpool fans' anger towards owner John W Henry and Fenway Sports Group but issued a 'be careful what you wish for' warning.
The Merseysiders were one of the six Premier League clubs to sign up for the controversial European Super League - the breakaway league founded on Sunday but was botched 48 hours after its inception after several clubs pulled out.
Henry made an emotional apology video to the Liverpool fans on Wednesday after withdrawing the club's involvement, claiming he had 'let you (the Reds supporters) down.'
After the Spirit of Shankly Supporters Group claimed Henry's words for hollow, Sky Sports pundit Redknapp called for Liverpool fans to 'move on' and be hesitant to call for the owner and FSG to leave the club.
Redknapp told Sky Sports on Wednesday: 'They (the fans) got what they wanted. It's really important, of course there will be anger towards the owners. Liverpool fans towards John W Henry, I can understand that.
'They made a huge mistake, everyone makes mistakes in life. All you can do is apologise and move on.
'Let's say they want to sell the club, whoever comes in next is going to be in the same position. They won't be Liverpool fans from day one. It's a power play and money play. Let's be careful for what we wish for.'
Henry has been in charge of Liverpool since 2010, taking over from unpopular American duo Tom Hicks and George Gillett as owner of the Anfield club.
The 71-year-old was one of the key voices in the European Super League project as was named as one of the four vice-chairmen of the idea along with Arsenal's Stan Kroenke, Juventus' Andrea Agnelli and Manchester United's Joel Glazer.
Henry's claimed in his statement on Wednesday morning: 'It goes without saying but should be said that the project put forward was never going to stand without the support of the fans. No-one ever thought differently in England. Over these 48 hours you were very clear that it would not stand. We heard you. I heard you.
'Again, I’m sorry, and I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days. It’s something I won’t forget. And shows the power the fans have today and will rightly continue to have.
'It’s important that the Liverpool football family remains intact, vital and committed to what we’ve seen from you globally, with local gestures of kindness and support. I can promise you I will do whatever I can to further that.'
But the Spirit of Shankly group released their own statement surely after the club's public apology, saying: 'We have noted John Henry’s apology, but this PR exercise is too little too late. These crocodile tears will not wash.
'Actions speak louder than "hollow" words. Liverpool Football Club is not an American franchise, it is a community steeped in history and tradition.'
Redknapp insisted the focus should now be on improving the Premier League and Champions League competition, despite the 'repugnant' way the 'Big Six' clubs tried to force a new league that would see them qualify for the competition every year.
The Sky Sports pundit added: 'Football has been about the fans, everyone has proved the power they can have. We move on, let's make this the best Premier League we can possibly do.
'The Champions League needs the revamp and this could be the disruption football needs but the way they went about it was repugnant.'
Lanbdiktu
1
Well said. Be careful what you wish for. Without the FSG OWNER LIVERPOOL would not have won the Champions league and English league title. They are the one who bring Klopp to Liverpool.
JustFootball_SG
2
FSG has made a mistake and they have apologised. Let’s close this chapter and move forward. It doesn’t erase the fact that FSG has done a superb job getting Liverpool to where we are (Hiring Klopp, winning the champions league and finally the premier League...,,,. Yes, it took almost 10 years but please think back to those few years just before that. - Where we were in the league table; & - what kind of financial shape we were in
hacdors
0
the FSG are business men,and not football lovers, their interest is money. it's time for them to leave the club, hand it over to a sports and footfall lover , so that the needed players can be signed to reshape the team.
will u buy LFC from FSG then?? Don't be naive and act as if all are noble! what FSG has achieved for LFC must not be forgotten which I think u have!
hacdors
1
Exactly! Football is also about money! Passion itself can't feed hungry stomachs. Fans need to face the reality about football! And players don't act as if they are so noble when they keep asking for better and higher remuneration packages. Wake up! And who will and can afford LFC now?? What FSG has done for LFC during the past five years have been amazing!
zicilnprsz
0
the FSG are business men,and not football lovers, their interest is money. it's time for them to leave the club, hand it over to a sports and footfall lover , so that the needed players can be signed to reshape the team.
Cody01
0
Do you get ittttt?!?! Where will the money come from? We want Mbappe but we don’t want money. I think all of the football associations are greedy especially the FA of England. The FA has refused to cut the tournaments down because they generate money for it too. The only mistake I think they made with ESL was that they didn’t make it competitive. FA should not even come and play saints rn. And it’s stupid for any Liverpool fan to ask them to leave.
Ask the spirit of Shankly, How should I know I'm not the one who is against the idea of FSG trying to making some more money for the club.
Theballcreator
0
People are just confused, it's like they don't even know what's good for the club. 🙄🙄. They want Liverpool to sign new players but they are busy saying no to the Money.
Do you get ittttt?!?! Where will the money come from? We want Mbappe but we don’t want money. I think all of the football associations are greedy especially the FA of England. The FA has refused to cut the tournaments down because they generate money for it too. The only mistake I think they made with ESL was that they didn’t make it competitive. FA should not even come and play saints rn. And it’s stupid for any Liverpool fan to ask them to leave.
Cody01
0
So that totally explains if the owner is interested in money or part of business purposes that probably led him to making a mistake instead. Probably this mistake could help with funds & sign wanted players to reshape the squad too. But again, I too don't fancy SL over UCL. It's just ridiculous! ☺
I don't think it was a mistake though. FSG's priority is to see that club is running smoothly and providing enough funds for the management team and players.
Cody01
0
They own the club, they made a mistake, apologized and should be forgiven. Spirit of Shankly will never say this if these owners were English. Let’s not misplace priorities. We love FSG. Liverpool fans even forget that Klopp asking the FA to reduce the number of competitions wouldn’t work, he is the one who needs to increase the size of the team to take all competitions. The only mistake they did was not making it competitive, FA has a lot of competitions because of money too. Let’s not act as if FA isn’t obsessed with money too
People are just confused, it's like they don't even know what's good for the club. 🙄🙄. They want Liverpool to sign new players but they are busy saying no to the Money.
Cody01
0
Liverpool fc is not american funchise let them leave the club to get SMART Owners to progress where they end
Deluded Fan. You think the spirit of Shankly will pay up the wages of the players and provide funds for new players. And since you want them to leave then tell where Liverpool will get the SMART owners you are busy bragging about Mr smart one.
Cody01
0
Owner has nothing to do with this... It's Klopp, the Management & the players... FSG only want money...
Mate just shut up and relax. where do you think the money for buying those players comes and their wages too? Do you think Klopp is doing a charity job in Liverpool? He is getting paid by FSG and the players are also getting paid by FSG dummy.
Emmyzy310
0
Owner has nothing to do with this... It's Klopp, the Management & the players... FSG only want money...
the ignorance and arrogance of your comment is deafening.
Kraz3_1van
0
So that totally explains if the owner is interested in money or part of business purposes that probably led him to making a mistake instead. Probably this mistake could help with funds & sign wanted players to reshape the squad too. But again, I too don't fancy SL over UCL. It's just ridiculous! ☺
zaninry
0
It is true, careful what you wish for Mistakes wr made move on
Liverpool is not a street club... There are lots of Billioners waiting to buy this club... FSG don't cares about club, they just want money... They only sell players & buy new players with that money.. They never spend money from their pocket... i saw many club owners but not like Henry... He's just using our club... He want to trademark Liverpool City name, he wanted to trademark Anfield's name & give it to some sponcers like Coco-Cola Field... He rise season tickets... & now Super League... He's lost... Too Greedy...
zaninry
0
at least with the current owner they won the EPL and the championships league, they should accept the apology
Owner has nothing to do with this... It's Klopp, the Management & the players... FSG only want money...
zaninry
1
he speaks sense you fool
Liverpool is not a street club... There are lots of Billioners waiting to buy this club... FSG don't cares about club, they just want money... They only sell players & buy new players with that money.. They never spend money from their pocket... i saw many club owners but not like Henry... He's just using our club... He want to trademark Liverpool City name, he wanted to trademark Anfield's name & give it to some sponcers like Coco-Cola Field... He rise season tickets... & now Super League... He's lost... Too Greedy...
Theballcreator
4
They own the club, they made a mistake, apologized and should be forgiven. Spirit of Shankly will never say this if these owners were English. Let’s not misplace priorities. We love FSG. Liverpool fans even forget that Klopp asking the FA to reduce the number of competitions wouldn’t work, he is the one who needs to increase the size of the team to take all competitions. The only mistake they did was not making it competitive, FA has a lot of competitions because of money too. Let’s not act as if FA isn’t obsessed with money too
Theballcreator
0
They own the club, they made a mistake, apologized and should be forgiven. Spirit of Shankly will never say this if these owners were English. Let’s not misplace priorities. We love FSG.
Theballcreator
0
Liverpool fc is not american funchise let them leave the club to get SMART Owners to progress where they end
Pls shut up. They own the club, they made a mistake, apologized and should be forgiven. Spirit of Shankly will never say this if these owners were English. Let’s not misplace priorities. We love FSG.
puuaelsuy
2
really! Redknapp's opinion is worth zero.go back to acting the pratt Jamie! football is not your forte!!
Vezonic22
1
Hey Reds, do you know Lebron James also got shares there? Why not get him to buy the entire team? That man is scandal free!!
ceeclprtz
1
Liverpool fc is not american funchise let them leave the club to get SMART Owners to progress where they end
zopcdlrs
1
Remember my Liverpool fellow fans, football is money, don't expect any big sign because no money and where will our lovely team be? We stand with UEFA and fifa let's see what they have for us '
Ryan83
2
I hear fan asking for owners need to leave.... I will advise you... be careful what you wish for....
Dinadeinsy
0
shut up ur mouth jamie redknapp , U talk too much more , listen to the fans for a moment ,
he speaks sense you fool
Nohabiortz
4
at least with the current owner they won the EPL and the championships league, they should accept the apology
Buacklmnot
3
shut up ur mouth jamie redknapp , U talk too much more , listen to the fans for a moment ,
vickipounds
0
don't mind most of these fans shouting i say this with confidence 80% of those shouting no to super league assuming they were 8n these owners shoe they will do worse
motmnors
2
It is true, careful what you wish for Mistakes wr made move on
katacelpst
0
😎😎