Liverpool fans have been left slightly confused by the club’s lack of spending in the transfer window.Having won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League a year later, it’s not like the Reds are short of money.Their prize money for the 2019/20 campaign was an estimated £174.6 million, a record amount.There’s also a huge deal with Nike.
But so far, Liverpool have only spent £12 million this summer. That’s considerably less than the £201m spent by Chelsea, while Manchester City (£71m), Tottenham (£59m) and Man United (£35m) have also exceeded Liverpool’s spend.Even Wolves just spent £35.6m on a new striker.
Thread on Liverpool's finances emerges
It’s sparked some concern among the club’s supporters who are beginning to worry about the upcoming campaign.
Their rivals have all improved while Liverpool have brought in a backup left-back.
On the face of it, it’s mystifying.
But their situation has been explained in a viral Twitter thread from football finance expert Swiss Ramble.
In the thread, Swiss Ramble explores Liverpool’s increased revenue growth from various avenues, most significantly in broadcasting deals.
"The main driver of LFC revenue growth is broadcasting, which has more than doubled from £124m to £261m in last 3 years,” the thread reads.
“The £137m growth is the highest in England, just ahead of Spurs, but a lot more than the rest of the Big 6, e.g. Arsenal and Chelsea only £42m and £57m respectively.”
The thread then explains why Liverpool haven’t been able to spend lavishly despite these sums.
The Premier League club are still accounting for their 2018 outlay, where roughly £250m was paid to bring in Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Since 2015, Liverpool’s wages have grown 87%. There’s also the money spent on the Main Stand expansion and the Kirkby training ground to consider.
Click HERE to read the thread in full.
GIVEMESPORT’s Scott Wilson says:
It’s easy to understand why Liverpool fans are frustrated, but the thread helps to explain the situation.
The Reds are at the peak of their powers and would be eager to splash the cash to ensure they stay on top if they could.
But they’re simply not in a position to do so.
Jurgen Klopp laid it out to supporters last month when he said Liverpool “have to think five times” about their transfer business.
“We always have to pay attention to the financial aspect. We don’t know how much money will come,” he told Servus TV.
The German insisted that he’s happy with his squad in the same interview and that should be enough to convince fans that they can defend their title in 2020/21.