Forget press conferences for new signings, Liverpool spent Wednesday morning announcing a new shirt sleeve sponsor, Western Union bank.
The new logo will appear on the left arm of the kit, and is reported to be worth £25 million over the next five years.
The club say that Western Union shirt-sleeve patch will be available free to all fans who have purchased an official 2017/18 shirt, not that many will be rushing to go get that added to their kit.
Here’s how supporters reacted to the announcement on social media and our forums…
https://twitter.com/SamMcGuire90/status/895202254826995712
Extra sponsorship is great – however that hideous logo has tarnished my favourite #LFC shirt in years. https://t.co/kasRa2AW9G
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) August 9, 2017
Was waiting to see who we signed/stayed before getting my @LFC shirt. After this huge @WesternUnion logo I'm really regretting my delay.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) August 9, 2017
I totally understand the club's plan to get a sleeve sponsor but the WU is too damn big. It's garish, make those letters smaller atleast.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) August 9, 2017
That sleeve sponsor is vulgar. We've ruined what was a classy strip.
— Aaron Cutler (@aaron_cutler) August 9, 2017
Best Liverpool kit in years ruined by a bloody sleeve sponsor. The only positive is that the 25m us used imminently towards transfers
— LFC-DAN (@Kenn1Dan) August 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/harikriss/status/895207650756972545
“Football shirts now nothing but billboards? How garish…”
– Peter Collins on Facebook.
Football shirts are going to end up like Formula 1 cars. #LFC
— LFCZA ?? (@LFCZA) August 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/Anfieldheaven/status/895207657417695234
https://twitter.com/KylePercy/status/895207915447083008
This will easily lose more money from jersey buys because of how bloody ugly it is. https://t.co/5MKPKhvzTp
— Ceallach Ní Uiginn ?? (@KellyHigginsLFC) August 9, 2017
“Do we get that if we buy a shirt? Should have bought one last week… that looks shite. Don’t think I’ll bother buying one now.”
– Andy Roberts on Facebook.
They ruined the kit ?
— H (@Humza_lfc) August 9, 2017
Great way to ruin a nice kit ??
— SavC (@sav_lfc) August 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/JitChohan/status/895206687891763200
Ugly
— KK (@K_is_for_KJaM) August 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/Aaronnn__o/status/895205701152362496
“Tacky—are we really that desperate for 25 million? It just compromises the whole look of the jersey!
– Corey Murphy on Facebook.
https://twitter.com/Positionista/status/895205242630963200
https://twitter.com/FiIthyFirmino/status/895205297085702144
So glad I bought one last week WITHOUT that hot mess on the sleeve.
— Kimberly Robertson (@krobertson245) August 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/Aontaigh/status/895209800895778816
https://twitter.com/BundesligaLFC/status/895212353725366273
https://twitter.com/RepublicOfAlba/status/895207590367555592
“At least it’s not Tinder!
– Nikola on the forums.
However, some did recognise the commercial benefits of Liverpool securing another shirt sponsor…
“I honestly don’t see how anyone is surprised or angry with this, it’s more money into the club and let’s be honest, I’m sure I’m not the only one who is surprised things like this haven’t happened sooner!? Just look at the South American leagues shirts, covered in sponsors!”
– Marc Carter on Facebook.
(At least) two EPL clubs were known to have exclusivity deals with their main shirt sponsor – clearly none of those were Liverpool.
— David Phillips (@lovefutebol) August 9, 2017
The reported deal value – £25m over 5 years – would make sense given sleeve values were estimated at c.20% of main shirt sponsor agreements.
— David Phillips (@lovefutebol) August 9, 2017
“Why all the moaning. Normally a Prem badge there so no response diff apart from extra income. PSG have sponsors on back of shirts already. Many EFL teams have multiple shirt sponsors.”
– Darren Wigley on Facebook.
What do you think of Liverpool’s new sponsorship deal? Have your say in the comments section.
Fan Comments