Liverpool FC is a peculiar giant in the business focused world of today's top football league. As I am writing this for a Liverpool FC website, I doubt it will offend many to assert we are not a club such as Arsenal or Chelsea, or even Manchester Utd; we have a certain passion which rears its magnificent head on occasions which other clubs simply lack. Few fans and few stadiums in the world could present an atmosphere of such intensity and love as that which shook Chelsea to their core during the Champions League semi-final.
Arsenal, with their newly dubbed Emirates Stadium - devoid of atmosphere or intensity, lost an important part of their heritage, a heritage which takes decades to evolve and grow. Manchester United and Old Trafford, for all the international success and incredible marketing strategies over the last decade, have similarly lost a little of the grit and determination which makes the success that bit sweeter - the realisation that football is the real reason why the club exists and not the multi-million pound branding deals.
A football club is a servant to its fans, the real people who will support the club indiscriminately, and to whom, in our case, have great affection for beloved Anfield. A new stadium is a necessary stepping stone to compete on the highest level, but it is a process which must be taken with the utmost care in order to avoid becoming another souless yet succesful club.
At this point, it would be unfair to judge our new owners. It would however be a disappointing development if we had to make our way to Virgin Stadium to watch our beloved Reds, a prospect which has not been ruled out by the new owners. For now, we can look forward to a new stadium and some new exciting arrivals. And hopefully, a brand new Anfield to cherish and make home.