Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he will remain "committed" to the club as talk continues about a potential sale by Fenway Sports Group (FSG), although the German is under the impression the owners are seeking investment instead of a takeover.
FSG, who completed the takeover of Liverpool for £300 million in 2010, earlier this week responded to reports of a sale by saying they would explore the option of bringing in investors if it was in Liverpool's "best interest".
"Whatever happens, I really like how we work together with our owners but if that would change I'm committed to the club, obviously," Klopp told reporters after Liverpool beat Derby County on penalties in the League Cup third round on Wednesday.
"As far as I know, they are looking for investors and I thought that makes sense."
Earlier this year, Russian Roman Abramovich completed the sale of Chelsea to an investment group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital but Klopp said the circumstances were different.
Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale following Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the UK government seized his assets over his alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin, which Abramovich denied.
"They [FSG] are looking for investors. The situation is completely different: Chelsea had to get sold because their owner was in trouble," Klopp said.
Liverpool booked their place in the League Cup fourth round after surviving a penalty shoot-out to see off third-tier Derby.
Liverpool, who won last season's competition by beating Chelsea on penalties, were held to a goalless draw at Anfield and once again Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was their hero, saving three spot-kicks as his side progressed 3-2 in the shootout.
Liverpool v Derby player ratings
-
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher - 9. The Irishman had little to do during the 90 minutes but came up trumps in the shootout. He made three saves to ensure Liverpool advanced to the next round. Getty Images -
Calvin Ramsay - 7. The Scot impressed with his energy and used the ball well in possession. He was keen to support the attack on his full debut. AP -
Nathaniel Phillips - 5. The 25-year-old had some nervous moments. He was good in the air but less impressive on the ball. Getty -
Joe Gomez - 6. The 25-year-old was composed. He was rarely under pressure and his positional play headed off potential problems. Reuters -
Kostas Tsimikas - 6. The Greek let Mendez-Laing get behind him but was quick to recover. He was always available for the ball and sent in crosses with mixed results. PA -
Stefan Bajcetic - 6. The Spaniard did the simple things well and was a surprising choice to take the first spot-kick in the shootout on his first start for the senior team. His stuttering run exposed some indecision and he missed his penalty. AFP -
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6. The 29-year-old should be thriving against opposition of this standard but his lack of playing time showed. He went close with one effort from outside the box but his penalty was unstoppable. Getty Images -
Bobby Clark - 7. The 17-year-old was confident and proactive in his first start. He tired in the second half and made way for Elliott in the 66th minute but can be pleased with his night’s work. PA -
Melkamu Frauendorf - 6. The 18-year-old was seen intermittently in the first half but started the second period with more gusto. Even so, he was withdrawn for Firmino in the 66th minute. AP Photo -
Layton Stewart - 6. The 20-year-old missed one awkward chance but showed touches of class on his full debut. He made way for Nunez in the 66th minute. AP Photo -
Fabio Carvalho - 4. The Portuguese could not impose himself on the game. He was marginalised for long periods and was substituted for Doak in the 74th minute. PA -
SUBS: Roberto Firmino - 6. The Brazilian replaced Frauendorf in the 66th minute. His class showed but he skied his penalty after a strange dancing run up. Reuters -
Darwin Nunez - 5. The Uruguayan came on for Stewart in the 66th minute and was ineffectual. His underhit penalty had enough direction to creep into the net. AP Photo -
Harvey Elliott - 7. The 19-year-old joined the action in the 66th minute at Clark’s expense. He was the brightest of the substitutes and could have scored in normal time. Instead he slotted home the winning penalty. AP Photo -
Ben Doak - 7. The 16-year-old made his debut when Carvalho was taken off with 16 minutes to go. It was a hugely encouraging effort from the Scot, whose boldness was obvious. AP Photo -
DERBY COUNTY RATINGS: Joe Wildsmith - 8. The 26-year-old made a superb save from a deflected Oxlade-Chamberlain shot and topped that with a late stop from Elliott. He was unfortunate to be upstaged by Kelleher in the shootout. PA -
Korey Smith - 7. The 31-year-old kept Carvalho under wraps. He advanced upfield more as the game went on but left the action in stoppage time when Rooney came on. PA -
Eiran Cashin - 7. The 21-year-old was strong at the heart of the defence. Some of his tackling was close to the edge but it was effective. AP Photo -
Craig Forsyth - 6. The Scot is Derby’s longest-serving player and his experience showed in the 90 minutes. Things were going well until his poor penalty was saved by Kelleher in the shootout. PA -
Haydon Roberts - 6. The 20-year-old on loan from Brighton worked hard but looked vulnerable at times. His was prone to drifting out of position. PA -
Max Bird - 6. It took a while for the 22-year-old to get into the game. He flunked a good second-half chance but often won possession in the midfield battle. Knight replaced him in stoppage time. Getty Images -
Conor Hourihane - 6. The Irishman created an opportunity for Sibley in the first period and set Derby’s tempo. On the downside, his penalty was saved. PA -
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing - 5. The winger got into good positions but his crossing was frequently rushed. With more composure he could have hurt Liverpool. He made way for Thompson in the 71st minute. PA -
William Osula - 4. The Dane’s touch let him down at vital moments. He was not an effective outlet and Dobbin came on for him after 61 minutes. AP Photo -
Louie Sibley - 6. The 21-year-old sent in a cross for Bird that produced Derby’s best chance. He put in plenty of effort tracking back and scored easily from the spot in the shootout. PA -
James Collins - 6. The 31-year-old did much of the donkey work for his team. His contribution was not flashy but it was necessary. He made way for McGoldrick in the 61st minute. AP Photo -
SUBS: David McGoldrick - 7. The 34-year-old replaced Collins in the 61st minute. He made a chance for Dobbin, should have done better with a late header and scored his penalty. Reuters -
Lewis Dobbin - 5. The 19-year-old on loan from Everton came on for Osula in the 61st minute. He ran free on goal but lacked the conviction to fire off a threatening shot. His penalty was saved much to the joy of the Kop. AP Photo -
Liam Thompson - 6. The 20-year-old joined the action at Mendez-Laing’s expense in the 71st minute. He made the team more solid. PA -
Jason Knight - N/A; Jake Rooney - N/A. AP Photo
