Liverpool Football Club have been valued at £5.5bn ($8 billion) after a consortium, that includes billionaire Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, secured a 30 per cent stake in the six-time European Cup winners.

There has been significant speculation for the past month that Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool’s owners, was in negotiations with a group led by Amit Bhatia, the former QPR chairman, and a point has been reached where the partnership has been confirmed.

Bhatia, who will become Liverpool’s vice-chairman, recruited Bezos – the world’s third-richest man – along with Eduardo Saverin, the Facebook co-founder, and his wife Elaine Andriejanssen, to take a stake in the club.

They did so through an investment vehicle called 1892 Holdings and, unlike at FSG, there are no faceless investors in the background. This is the Bhatia family, the Saverins and Bezos, who leads the K5 Sports Fund.

Bhatia will have no say in the day-to-day running of Liverpool’s football matters, even though their stake is worth more than Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in Manchester United. Ratcliffe is ultimately responsible for football operations at Old Trafford.

But FSG insists there is no change to how they have always conducted business on Merseyside and, crucially, maintains that this is not the beginning of the end of their ownership or a sign that Bhatia and co will one day take full control at Anfield.

John W Henry, the lead figure at FSG, has never hidden the fact that he has always looked to secure outside investment.

Bhatia is the son-in-law of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal – but the premise is the same: nothing will change about how Liverpool conduct their business.

There will be fervour that such substantial funding will lead to a boost to Liverpool’s transfer kitty for this window, but that is not the case. There is no new transfer budget for Andoni Iraola, the head coach, and there will not be a diversion from the plan the club has persistently followed.

Mike Gordon, the FSG president, said in a statement: “Liverpool has always been built by thinking beyond one season and making decisions with the club’s long-term interests in mind. That approach continues to attract interest from respected investors and business leaders around the world.

“As we considered this opportunity, it became clear Amit and the consortium shared our long-term philosophy and appreciation for what makes Liverpool special. Their experience and perspective will complement the strong foundation already in place.”

Talks between Bhatia and FSG began in 2025 – sources close to the deal said it had been worked on for “multiple months” – after Bhatia was introduced to them by Will McDonough of the merchant bank Corestone Capital.

McDonough, who is the long-time agent of Tom Brady, a former American footballer, had a deep understanding of the Boston sport and business scene and felt Bhatia would be a good fit for what FSG was looking for.

Bhatia, on behalf of 1892 Holdings, said: “We are incredibly proud to be investing in Liverpool Football Club and to be doing so alongside FSG. We have the utmost respect and admiration for FSG as owners and for everything they have achieved at Anfield.

“To be welcomed as a partner in a club of this stature is a huge privilege. We are making this investment because we believe deeply in Liverpool and its leadership.”

There is no indication yet whether Bhatia will be at St James’ Park for Liverpool’s opening Premier League fixture against Newcastle on August 23.

The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.