At the end of last week, it appeared that Liverpool’s long-disputed kit deal with Nike was finally resolved, as the American manufacturing giants found themselves on the right side of a landmark court case.
However, less than one week on, the issue seems to have reared it’s head once more, with New Balance reportedly filing appeal papers in an attempt to lock Liverpool into a new kit deal.
The sorry state of affairs has seemingly irritated many Liverpool fans, who are keen for the situation to finally be resolved. However, New Balances’ appeal has the potential to reopen a new round of court proceedings, something that has angered a number of Liverpool supporters:
BREAKING: New Balance has filed appeal papers in a final bid to lock Liverpool into a new kit deal.
The company has now filed the necessary paperwork and the decision rests with the Court whether a full appeal hearing will go ahead.https://t.co/XiGLFQXEbT
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) October 29, 2019
NB needs LFC than LFC at the moment,leave our LFC!
— Victor Kinta (@VictorKinta5) October 29, 2019
For goodness sake, let it go boys
— Jim Banks (@indianapepsi) October 29, 2019
Boycott on NB kits & merchandise required?? ?
— DREW HUNT (@huntdrew11) October 29, 2019
— Alissonwonderland ? (@LFCinmyVeins) October 29, 2019
Other fans were quick to make light of the incident, which looks set to rumble on for the foreseeable future:
We wont get problem with nike of waiting 4 month of restock for gk jersey ?
— Danny burrell (@mrburrell1) October 29, 2019
They dont have enough kits for us to boycott
— Has (@Hans5259) October 29, 2019
What we think
From looking at the vast majority of tweets and fan interactions regarding the incident, it seems fairly clear that most simply want the Nike deal to be carried through, without any obstacles. An appeal muddies the waters for the club and fans alike, something that neither will be grateful for. It seems unlikely at this stage that New Balance will remain as Liverpool’s kit sponsors beyond this season. After all, #Mbappe2020 is reliant upon the Nike deal successfully going through.
