Liverpool has enjoyed fantastic economic growth during the last decade, although the team appears to have hit a bump in the road, struggling for Premier League form and results. This could also have an important knock-on effect, should the Reds miss out on participating in the UEFA competitions next season.
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Consistently rising financial power
Aside from the 2015-16 campaign, when Jurgen Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool ended up in 8th position, the team has consistently finished within the Premier League top four. Always firmly in the title race over the last four seasons, including the magnificent championship victory of 2019-20 season, the German head coach has been a transformative figure.
During his tenure and with all the successes achieved, both on and off the pitch, Liverpool has enjoyed phenomenal growth as a football club. This is highlighted by the most recent edition of the Deloitte Football Money League for 2023, published annually by the London-based accounting firm. And for the first time since this list has been published, LFC moved above Manchester United into third position, just behind Manchester City and Real Madrid.
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Liverpool generated overall revenues worth €701.7 million during the 2021-22 season, making them one of the biggest movers in the Deloitte Football Money League, rising four places up the list. This was bolstered by an impressive increase in commercial revenues, rising from €65 million to €373 million last season, establishing a new Premier League record.
This has inevitably boosted the financial clout available at Anfield, whenever they are chasing potential signings, including big investments made in both transfer windows during the current season. However, key future moves could well be dealt with a heavy blow, should Liverpool fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, putting a serious economic dent in potential spending plans.
Frustrating 2022-23 campaign
Remaining highly competitive and for such a prolonged period of time, Liverpool have restored their legacy as one of the most prominent clubs in world football, but the 2022-23 season has become a perfect storm of problems. Despite making solid progress in the UEFA Champions League, the Reds have struggled on the domestic front. Eliminated from the EFL Cup by Manchester City, they have also struggled in the Premier League.
Last season, Liverpool were close to achieving an amazing clean sweep in all four competitions, eventually winning the EFL Cup and FA Cup double, along with finishing as runners-up in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. Nevertheless, the habitual consistency of this team appears to have fallen by the wayside this time around, largely impacted by injury problems that have inevitably impacted performance.
According to James Pearce at The Athletic, this has been one of the most influential factors, creating the “perfect storm” of struggles for Liverpool. Likewise, he also suggested that Klopp’s “mentality monsters” are now looking psychologically brittle, conceding too many early goals, and unable to muster the resolve to react. In particular, failing to suitably reinforce key areas of the team is now glaringly evident, and was most notable during the midfield injury crisis.
But while this campaign has been fraught with difficulties, can anything be salvaged in the end? An element of disbelief prevails at many of the leading online bookies, who still price Liverpool favourably to finish in the Premier League top four. Yet comparing odds is always advised by Arabian Betting, who analyse the best football betting sites in detail, highlighting where the most competitive odds and promotions can be found.
Optimism needed to forge the recovery
Finishing outside the Premier League top four would be hugely disappointing, while anywhere beyond the top six would arguably be a disaster, potentially impacting transfer plans heading into next season. While time and fixtures remain, Liverpool are more than capable of turning things around. If there is one thing that Klopp and his coaching team have, it’s plenty of positivity and optimism, which are inevitably going to be vital when looking ahead.
