Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group is considering a review of its "controversial ticket prices following the unprecedented walkout by thousands of supporters during the draw with Sunderland," according to Paul Joyce of the London EXPRESS. Trans-Atlantic discussions continued Monday with senior Liverpool management and FSG "weighing up what response they should make to the mass protests in the 77th minute from fans." Urgent boardroom talks began in the "immediate aftermath of Saturday’s game," and continued Sunday, with up to 10,000 supporters having "voted with their feet against the new tariffs for next season by exiting early." The "dearest ticket" when the new Main Stand is open will be £77 ($111). FSG was "shocked and surprised not only by the numbers involved, but by angry chants" branding it “greedy b*******” amid a warning "that the dissent will continue." FSG has funded the £120M ($173.2M) development of the new Main Stand. Supporters groups "also targeted Liverpool’s commercial partners, including Subway, in an email and Twitter campaign in a clear indication that Saturday’s movement will not be a one-off." Liverpool’s hierarchy -- Chair Tom Werner, FSG President Mike Gordon and CEO Ian Ayre -- "is aware that the situation pitting supporters against the club is not sustainable" (EXPRESS, 2/8). The PA reported Liverpool has canceled a "question and answer session" with Ayre "as the row over ticket prices continues." He was scheduled to answer queries sent in by fans via Twitter about the "controversial" '16-17 pricing structure on the club’s TV station at 6pm on Monday. However, the event was canceled by the club "just over fours hours beforehand." It is "not just the fans who are protesting, with the club’s iconic former defender Jamie Carragher and ex-manager Roy Evans also throwing their weight behind the growing movement." And Southport MP John Pugh "has tabled an early day motion in support of Liverpool fans who protested on Saturday." The club has argued the new structure -- which includes 45% of match tickets decreasing in price, 64% of season tickets reduced or staying the same in cost, better availability for local fans and around 1,500 £9 ($13) tickets for category C games -- "offers greater accessibility and affordability" (PA, 2/8).
KLOPP SPEAKS OUT: In London, Andy Hunter reported Liverpool Manager Jürgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool needs to find "a solution" to the "growing opposition to the club’s hike in ticket prices." He missed the 2-2 draw and the protest "as he was having his appendix removed at Aintree Hospital." Klopp "has placed great store on bringing the club and supporters together during his time at Anfield" and insisted it is "in everyone’s interest at Liverpool to resolve the issue." He said, "It is not too easy for me to say too much about it. I heard about this problem but I’ve had a lot of things to do in the last few weeks but now I know it is my problem too of course. But everything I could say about this now would make it more complicated because first of all I have to collect a few bits of information. What I know is everyone in the club has a big interest in finding a solution for this. It is not what we want, we don’t want the people leaving the stadium before the game is finished" (GUARDIAN, 2/8). Also in London, Chris Bascombe reported Klopp "insists he is fit enough to resume his duties when leading Liverpool at West Ham in Tuesday’s FA Cup fourth round replay." He said, "I am good. A lot of people have had this before I did. I think I had one not too good night and then you get the surgery and then everything is okay again" (TELEGRAPH, 2/8).
