Liverpool fans are hungry for success. The club has not qualified for the Champions League since 2009 and will miss out on European competition altogether this season for only the second time in 14 years.
The financial figures tell their own story. The club’s revenue is now just 59 per cent of that of Manchester United, 72 per cent of that of Chelsea and 80 per cent of that of Arsenal.
Liverpool fans are hungry for success. The club has not qualified for the Champions League since 2009 and will miss out on European competition altogether this season for only the second time in 14 years.
The financial figures tell their own story. The club’s revenue is now just 59 per cent of that of Manchester United, 72 per cent of that of Chelsea and 80 per cent of that of Arsenal.
After the Fenway Sports Group bought the club in October 2010 they went on a spending spree, notably paying £35m for Andy Carroll. As a result Liverpool madea pre-tax loss of £40.5m on declining turnover of £169m in the 10 months to June 2012, and its debts rose to £87.2m. This summer has seen more prudent spending with four players being bought for a total of no more than £25m and Carroll offloaded to West Ham United for £25m.
Managing director Ian Ayre is sceptical about whether Uefa’s financial fair play rules will offer a route to salvation. He told the Financial Times, ‘There are some questionable sponsorship deals that have appeared in the market. It’s clearly people trying to get around the rules.’
Mr Ayre would like to emulate the Manchester United model of regional sponsorsship deals around the world. That makes sense given that Liverpool’s history has given it a substantial global following, but the club is some way behind the curve.
A lot rests in the longer run on the redevelopment of Anfield, but there is no timeframe and no costings.