Ten sports journalism jobs have been created at Reach plc as the publisher prepares to launch a new football fan site aimed at a US audience.
As reported by HTFP last month, Reach has been recruiting journalists for a hitherto mystery project based around Liverpool FC.
Now the company has announced the launch of Liverpool.com, a fan site which it says is aimed at the club’s American fanbase.
The announcement comes in the wake of Liverpool’s European Champions League final win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, making them European champions for the sixth time.
Reach says it has recruited ten new journalists to cover Liverpool FC across various platforms including the new site, daily print title the Liverpool Echo, and the Blood Red podcast originally launched in 2015.
The new site, which will feature analysis and essays from established writers on both sides of the Atlantic, will go live on 1 July.
In addition, the new team is to launch LFC Stories, a dedicated premium platform for high quality longform pieces on Liverpool FC, from some of the world’s best sports writers.
The new LFC team will be led by Kristian Walsh, content editor (group sport) who was formerly sports audience editor at the Echo, and overseen by editor (football) Jon Birchall.
Said Jon, pictured: “The aim at the Liverpool Echo, as with all of our regional brands, is to provide the strongest, most comprehensive coverage of our football clubs available anywhere.
“This expansion across new platforms and new territories is the natural next step in how we give Liverpool supporters the best possible experience from the heart of the city and beyond.”
Kristian added: “The events of the past week have reinforced the belief that Liverpool Football Club is among the biggest and best in the world.
“Having been to the United States in 2014 to cover one of the Reds’ previous pre-season tours, I have always been fascinated and taken aback by the passion and knowledge of supporters there. Though this is a club with a Scouse heartbeat, it is truly unique to see such fervent support by those in the US.
“The sport of soccer is growing evermore there and Liverpool and its culture are at the forefront of that. I am hugely excited to be leading this project and not only bringing our US fans closer to Liverpool, but taking Liverpool closer to those same supporters.
“Their dedication and belief is among the most impressive in the world – they deserve one of the most impressive websites to reflect that. That is our challenge, and one we will relish.”