Fenway Sports Group has completed an in-depth review of Getafe as they consider adding the club to their roster, according to Liverpool Confidential.

It is approaching the 15th anniversary of FSG buying Liverpool and they have long had an ambition to purchase another European football club.

In recent years, forming multi-club alliances has become a trend among Premier League teams. Notable examples include Manchester City’s City Football Group, BlueCo’s ownership of both Chelsea and Strasbourg, and Manchester United’s collaboration with French team Nice through minority stakeholders Ineos.

FSG has tasked former Liverpool sporting directors Michael Edwards and Julian Ward, along with Pedro Marques, with identifying potential acquisitions. The three have evaluated over 20 European clubs as viable candidates for expansion and investment.

Malaga were among them but, after assessing their accounts, FSG pulled away and looked for other alternatives.

Their interest gravitated toward Getafe following an informal dialogue between Real Madrid’s CEO, Jose Angel Sanchez, and Angel Torres, the president of Getafe’s neighboring city team.

Liverpool’s interest was conveyed to Getafe during their friendly match against Hull City at the MKM Stadium on August 2. Subsequently, an FSG delegation traveled to Spain to examine the club’s financial records and facilities.

Conversations between FSG and Getafe, currently ranking sixth in La Liga, were reportedly positive. Julian Ward, fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and Marques—who had offers to join Spanish clubs this summer—played key roles in these discussions.

In total, FSG have done due diligence on 25 clubs across Europe since they began this process of trying to buy another club.

There is no indication yet on what it would cost to buy Getafe and the FSG powerbrokers in Boston are now considering their next move.

Should FSG wish to proceed, a deal is likely to be a formality given what they know about Getafe. The Spanish club have been owned by local businessman Torres since 2002.

What makes this situation so significant is the fact FSG can potentially complete this transaction: 15 years ago, they were looking at Liverpool’s books – and saw a club on the brink of administration.

So remarkable has been the transformation over the course of two decades, they have established Liverpool as one of the biggest clubs in the world and now have the financial ammunition to add to their stable if they so desire.

Ekitike’s fine mess 

If Hugo Ekitike was unaware of the standards and professionalism expected of him as a Liverpool player, he was left in no uncertain terms after his ridiculous sending-off against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

The France international had made a brilliant start to his career on Merseyside but four goals in a handful of games was not going to save him from a club fine for his lack of discipline – it is yet to be confirmed, but Ekitike is likely to be docked two weeks’ wages.

A financial punishment is one thing. For a modern footballer, you could rightly argue that it is not the end of the world and they won’t even feel the difference at the end of the month – this has always been standard practice and will continue to be that way.

Ekitike’s biggest reprimand, however, will come from within the dressing room. It was quite a sight to see Jeremie Frimpong pushing the 22-year-old in the chest, so incensed was he that Liverpool were going to have to play the final few minutes of their third-round tie with 10 men.

Frimpong, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen where Xabi Alonso had preached discipline and why it was sacrilege to let down a team-mate, had no hesitation stepping forward. Imagine, then, how the stalwarts of Liverpool’s dressing room will have reacted. ‘He won’t be doing that again,’ said vice-captain Andy Robertson and you knew these words weren’t for effect.

Arne Slot was similar enraged by the red card and something he said during his post-match synopsis about being self-absorbed, made you think of the adidas advert for the new third kit in which Ekitike features alongside Robertson, Reds legend Steve McManaman and the actor James Nelson-Joyce.

‘You’ll fit in here,’ Nelson-Joyce tells Ekitike, as he explains what the culture of the city is like. ‘When the locals like you, they tend to really like you. We’re all new here once – just don’t get too big for your boots… not that anyone will let you, like.’

A mistake has been made, the punishment has been administered: Ekitike will be financially worse off but he will be richer for the experience.

How Reds will rally around stricken Leoni 

What a desperate situation for poor Giovanni Leoni, whose dream first appearance turned into the kind of nightmare that all footballers fear.

There has been no confirmation from Liverpool, as yet, but he has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and his first season is effectively over.

The return to full fitness will be long, challenging and, at times, lonely but the one thing that must provide some solace for Leoni is the fact two of the men in his position – Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez – have been through exactly the same situation.

Gomez suffered the same injury as an 18-year-old, playing for England’s Under 21s against Kazakhstan in a European Championship qualifier, less than a week after Jurgen Klopp had been appointed Liverpool manager in October 2015.

It was a horrendous time for Gomez but you can be sure that he will be there to help Leoni in every way possible.

Another comfort should be the fact Liverpool have one of the best physiotherapists in the industry amongst their staff in Lee Nobes, who will be alongside Leoni each step of the way.

Elliott doesn’t deserve Emery rage 

Harvey Elliott maybe out of sight for the time being but he is definitely not out of mind and it was fascinating to listen to Unai Emery talk about him last Sunday.

Aston Villa’s manager said many incendiary things after his side’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland, blasting them collectively for being ‘lazy’ and questioning their attitude. Elliott was introduced in the second half and Villa improved for him being on the pitch, with one shot which whistled just past the post.

So for Emery to make Elliott the only player he specifically named in his monologue was unusual. There were plenty who deserved a spotlight on them but the England Under 21s international, who is officially on loan at Villa Park but with a £35m obligation to buy in the deal, wasn’t one of them.

It’s going to be an unusual season for Elliott – it is hoped he gets some benefits.

Wonderkid Wright’s recovery boost 

Will Wright was one of Liverpool’s more unexpected signings in the summer, the young striker arriving from Salford. He is a player with potential for the future but his development has been momentarily checked.

He suffered a medial ligament injury during a 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid, one which led to him being stretchered off, and it is expected he will be out for five to seven weeks.

It is a relief as the immediate reaction was that it could be something significantly longer.