FSG investors link up with former Liverpool sporting director explained

Almost a decade on from leaving Liverpool, Damien Comolli is playing a prominent role improving the fortunes of a club that has close ties with the Reds.

Frenchman Comolli left Anfield and his role of sporting director after being dismissed in April 2012, his transfer record coming under scrutiny after the purchases of players such as Sebastien Coates, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll led Fenway Sports Group to take the decision to find someone else to lead that particular side of the football club.

Back in 2016, in an interview with talkSPORT, Comolli claimed it was the signing of Jordan Henderson for £16m from Sunderland that would be the main reason for his departure.

"Henderson is one of the main reasons I got sacked," he told talkSPORT.

"The day I got sacked they told me I had made a big mistake on Jordan and he was a waste of money.

"Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but I think we paid the right price.

"He was a young English, British player and we know very often that British players are overvalued. But we were more than happy to pay the price because we thought he would become an outstanding player."

It's hard to argue on Comolli's assertion that Liverpool paid the right price, with Henderson having gone on to be one of the Reds' most important players in recent years, skippering the team after Steven Gerrard's departure and lifting a Champions League trophy and the first English league title for the club in 30 years. He has more than paid back that £16m over time.

Liverpool were heading in a specific direction with their recruitment, with FSG principal owner John Henry an admirer of the statistical nature of 'Moneyball' that had been implemented in baseball by the likes of Oakland