Failure to qualify for the Champions League could be worth up to £120m, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who also said that Liverpool were in a better position to withstand such a collapse because they are well-run.
However, prize money and professional opportunities are significantly lower in other European competitions.
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Arne Slott’s side earned 98.1 million euros (£85.3 million) in distribution payments for reaching the last 16 of the Champions League in the 2024-25 season, UEFA’s financial report shows.
When Liverpool were in the Europa League in 2023-24, they received just 26.8 million euros (£23.3 million) for reaching the quarter-finals.
Winning the tournament would help close the funding gap a little more.
Maguire said that the loss of money from UEFA would only be part of the story.
“It also impacts matchday receipts,” Maguire said. “It has an impact on broadcast money.
“This will mean less commercial revenue, as contracts with senior sponsors will include bonuses.”
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At the high end, Maguire thinks “Liverpool could lose around £120 million” overall if knocked out of the Champions League.
Liverpool spent more than £400 million last summer signing players such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
This was the largest expenditure by a club in the transfer window.
But Maguire says Liverpool are “going extremely well”. That said, one season outside the Champions League may not have a huge impact.
Will Liverpool have any problems when it comes to complying with financial regulations?
“The simple answer is no,” Maguire said. “They are very forensic in their financial analysis.”
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Missing out on the Champions League could certainly impact on the players they can attract to Anfield.
For Liverpool, remaining in the top competition will be important regardless of money.
Read more about how missing out on the Champions League could impact Livepool’s finances
