New Liverpool vice-chairman Amit Bhatia has spoken for the first time since leading a consortium to a 38% stake in the club this month, saying the group is ready to answer the call of majority owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and make the new partnership a huge success at Anfield.
Bhatia, who will attend his first match as part-owner on Saturday against Nottingham Forest, outlined how FSG will still have the final say on all matters concerning Liverpool. He led a group that includes Jeff Bezos, the world's third richest man, and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin to a deal worth around £2billion. It has since been reported that the 1892 Holdings group have an option to purchase the club outright in 12 months for £6billion.
FSG remain the decision-makers
Asked how involved he expects to be in an interview with LFCTV, Bhatia said: "I think again it’s very important to emphasise that we’re going through a regulatory process. That regulatory process is under way and we have to be incredibly respectful of that process.
"So it’s important to say that, number one. Number two, I think it’s important to be very clear that this club remains under the ownership of FSG. FSG are the decision-makers and this is their ownership. They have invited us and we’re very fortunate to be a partner as a minority alongside them."
Bhatia, who served in various executive roles at Queens Park Rangers for nearly 20 years, said the consortium's involvement would be in any capacity FSG felt useful. "Subject to regulatory [approval], in any capacity that FSG wants us to be involved, in any way that they think that we can add value for the betterment of the football club, is how we will make ourselves available at all times," he said.
Excitement at new ownership era
Bhatia, who is part of the new-look Liverpool board alongside Bryan Baum - the K5 Global managing partner who represents Bezos - and Mr Saverin's wife, Elaine, was personally invited to the first home game of the new Premier League campaign by principal owner John W Henry.
"It feels incredible," he added. "It feels surreal when I hear those words, obviously an incredibly proud moment for myself, for my family, for our partners. We’re talking about Liverpool Football Club here, right? I mean, we’re talking about the greatest football club in the world. And so to have the ability to be involved in any capacity is a huge privilege and a huge honour."
Bhatia emphasised the responsibility to supporters, saying: "I am a fan first, my involvement in sport has always been as a fan first. This club has been around since 1892 and the club will be around long after we’re all gone. For a short period of time, if we were lucky enough to be part of an ownership group that can help support the club for a period of time, then all that we can hope for is that we can bring more success to the club."
He concluded: "That responsibility has been shouldered by FSG, we believe, in the most spectacular way over the last 16 years. And so if we as their partners can be involved, help, elevate the club, help the club in any way – and I hope that they see some value in us, which is why they’ve welcomed us to the table – we are ready, willing, champing at the bit and can’t wait to help in any way that we are called upon to help the club."
