From Liverpool to La Liga: Why Turf Moor’s ‘Portfolio Derby’ is more than just a game of 90 minutes
Liverpool are set to take on Burnley at Turf Moor, in a game which could have wider meaning beyond the Premier League.
Arne Slot will face off with Scott Parker as the Premier League champions take on the freshly-promoted side, after contrasting summer transfer windows in which Liverpool spent heavily and Burnley lost some key players.
Liverpool spent £450 million on Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and others, and this was not too far behind the entire total spend of every club in the Spanish top flight.
Spanish top-flight clubs spent a total of £592m, but this did include Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free transfer to Real Madrid, and both Liverpool and Burnley’s owners could now play a part in the future of La Liga.
Liverpool and Burnley’s owners interest in La Liga clubs
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are now very popular among the fans, with the Reds operating with a level of efficiency and ambition that has rarely been seen before.
They are also keen on a multi-club model, and after FSG’s interest in second-tier side Malaga, it was recent reported by The Athletic that the US owners want to invest in La Liga side Getafe.
Burnley’s owners, Velocity Sports Limited, also announced an investment into Espanyol, who narrowly avoided relegation from the top-flight last season.
The upcoming clash between Liverpool and Burnley at Turf Moor will see two Premier League sides face each other in a ‘battle of the portfolios,’ with potentially vested interest from La Liga as joint-ownership becomes more common across world football.
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Why Liverpool want to invest in Getafe
Getafe have been regulars in La Liga, often finishing in mid-table, but have reached the Europa League knockout stages in recent years.
There are several reasons why FSG want to invest in Getafe, alongside their heavy spending with Liverpool, and the Reds stand to benefit a lot.
- Getafe offer a ready-made destination for Liverpool’s young talents to develop on loan.
- Sending players to Getafe can help signings from South America obtain work permits to eventually move to England.
- Liverpool and Getafe could share scouting networks and knowledge, helping unearth the best obscure talents.
- Based in Madrid, Getafe’s commercial potential could be higher than anticipated, should FSG help them become successful.
Jose Bordalas employs a very different style of football to Slot, with his Getafe side playing a defensive, tough-tackling 4-4-2, but the recent departure of Christantus Uche to Crystal Palace showed that they are both in need of financial help, while being capable of unearthing rare talents.
Which players Liverpool could loan to Getafe if FSG reach agreement
If FSG strike a deal to buy Getafe, then Liverpool could look to help them out by loaning some of their young talents there.
Getafe struggled to register their players in La Liga this season, which led to Uche’s departure, and an injection of youthful quality could help them, while also allowing Liverpool’s youngsters to develop well.
- Jayden Danns, 19, could be an asset for Getafe upfront, as a striker who can press and track back, potentially even as a replacement for Uche.
- Luke Chambers, 20, could play more regularly under Bordalas, with his pathway at Liverpool blocked by several players at left-back.
- Calvin Ramsey, 22, is unlikely to feature under Slot, and could move to Getafe to build up his fitness after a long absence.
While multi-club ownership is a contentious topic, with Jurgen Klopp seemingly against the idea in the past, FSG could continue to innovate with an investment into Getafe, which could see the Spanish side and Liverpool both benefit.
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