When it comes to streaming games in the English Premier League, Liverpool FC is the side leading the way in what is widely considered to be the most competitive league in the world.
The Anfield club has a long history of success, and its impressive and loyal following has expanded globally, including in the United States.
Others Playing Catch-Up
The popularity of the Premier League is growing, and the viewing figures in the US are increasing. Soccer is the third most popular sport in the US to stream, while American media giant NBC confirmed last season was the second most watched Premier League campaign in their history.
The Reds, currently managed by Jürgen Klopp, have been leading the way in the streaming figures in the UK and in the process are ahead of some of the biggest clubs on the planet. Manchester United is widely regarded as one of the largest clubs, but they simply can’t compete with Liverpool’s numbers in the UK regarding streaming. That popularity amongst an established base in the UK has grown into markets away from Liverpool’s homeland and across the Atlantic, leaving clubs like United playing catch up.
The Red Devils have struggled since the retirement of managerial great Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford. The Scottish tactician retired back in 2013 after winning the Premier League title. Still, since then, United are yet to lift the trophy despite a host of different managers and heavy investments.
Manchester City also finds themselves behind Liverpool despite the Cityzens emerging as the dominant force in English football of late. City has won back-to-back Premier League titles and seen their appeal in the UK and globally grow with their recent success. A team that was once struggling in the third tier of English football, City was taken over in September 2008 and has developed into a formidable power in European soccer since then. City is yet to get their hands on the Champions League, unlike Liverpool, whose tally is six European crowns. That European success, with their first title coming back in 1977 and the most recent triumph in 2019, might explain Liverpool’s dominance in the US streaming stats.
American Ownership Boosts Appeal
Liverpool, owned by Fenway Sports Group, will also impact why the Reds have had a growing appeal in the US. Tom Werner is the current chairman at Liverpool and holds the same position at Major League Baseball franchise, the Boston Red Sox. That link will have likely grown US interest in Liverpool, especially in a city with a sporting pedigree as Boston. The two port towns share plenty in common with their passion for sport, and many Red Sox supporters will have adopted Liverpool as their soccer team in England.
Chelsea has recently seen their own takeover by an American, with Todd Boehly taking the reins at Stamford Bridge this year. The co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers is looking to forge his own path in Premier League ownership but might well have taken some inspiration from how things have been done in the northwest of England at Liverpool.
The interest in Liverpool can’t be replicated stateside, and it will be interesting to see how rival clubs from the UK look to topple the Reds in such a big sporting market as the US.
