Liverpool's Werner Eyes Global Stage For Premier League Matches

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner is determined to take Premier League games to the United States and other international locations. The topic of leagues playing regular-season matches abroad has sparked debate recently, following FIFA's pledge to analyse the impact of such moves. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters indicated that the possibility of games being played in other countries remains open, due to a legal settlement between FIFA and US-based match promoter Relevant Sports.

Premier League fans in England are likely to oppose overseas games more than most, as supporter protests contributed to the collapse of the European Super League in 2021. Liverpool was one of the clubs involved in that project, and Werner risks upsetting Reds fans by supporting plans for global matches. "I'm determined one day to have a Premier League game be played in New York City," Werner told the Financial Times. "I even have the crazy idea that there would be a day where we play one game in Tokyo, one game a few hours later in Los Angeles, one game a few hours later in Rio, one game a few hours later in Riyadh. We make it a day where football, where the Premier League, is celebrated."

Liverpool will return to the USA this summer for a pre-season tour, facing Arsenal and Manchester United. Werner suggested offering fans very cheap travel and accommodation as a way to gain their support for overseas matches. "If Liverpool are playing Nottingham Forest, we will support fans coming to New York and make this an attractive thing for the fans as well," he added.

Liverpool's pre-season schedule includes a match against Arsenal in Philadelphia on July 31, followed by a game against Manchester United in Columbia, South Carolina three days later.

LaLiga is also looking to revive plans to play matches abroad. A previous proposal for Barcelona to face Girona in Miami in 2019 was halted due to opposition from players and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

As discussions continue about taking league matches overseas, it remains to be seen how these plans will be received by fans and stakeholders alike.