Liverpool to lose £100 million due to lack of Champions League football

Liverpool will lose around £100 million if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, according to The Athletic.

The Reds are unlikely to finish in the top four, which would result in them missing out on UEFA’s top-tier competition for the first time in six seasons.

They would subsequently miss out on the financial windfall that comes with Champions League football which is a chunk of their annual revenue.

Liverpool have made around £500 million from Champions League distribution money during the past five years. Their run to the round of 16 this season will see them earn around £71m.

They will earn around £8m more than Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur because UEFA gives more to clubs with recent achievements.

Liverpool earned £106m from their run to the final last season.

Only the Premier League brings in more revenue for Liverpool, with the Merseyside club earning around £152m for finishing second to Manchester City last season.

In addition to the UEFA income, Liverpool will also miss out on Champions League matchday revenues.

The Fenway Sports Group-owned club has made around £87m from their 30 European home games since 2017. Liverpool had guaranteed sell-out crowds at most of their matches.

Missing out on this revenue will hamper transfer plans, as they have already pulled out of a deal to sign Jude Bellingham.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder will cost around £130m. They want to revamp their entire midfield and can’t afford to splash the cash on one player.

Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner will leave the club at the end of the season. Arthur will return to Juventus when his loan deal runs out.

Liverpool have expensive targets such as Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Alexis Mac Allister.

Liverpool can secure some extra funds by qualifying for the Europa League. They can earn around £38m if they go deep into the tournament.

It is unclear where the club’s owners will find the funds for their summer overhaul. The owners have been smart with their spending and will not do anything drastic to raise funds.