With Liverpool facing PSR financial constraints, can Arne Slot lead a successful summer rebuild? How FSG’s spending decisions will shape the future of the club for years to come.
3 Year Losses
Over the course of the last 3 seasons, Liverpool have reported a net loss of £59.5 million.
Despite a profitable 2021/22 season in which the club registered a £9 million pound profit before tax. The following season 2022/23 saw Liverpool miss out on Champions League qualification.
With Jurgen Klopp’s main aim of rebuilding the Midfield, the club invested heavily. Players such as Alexis MacAllister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai were signed to fill the void.
In Jurgen’s final season the club competed in the Europa League which hindered the financial situation at the club.
£57 million in losses and the amortized costs of the midfield rebuild means Liverpool now only have a £45.5 million allowable spend in order to comply PSR’s 3 year loss regulations.
Arne Slot exceeding expectation
Few expected Liverpool’s transition to Slot to be so seamless.
The Club finished top of the new format Champions League. Earning were reported in excess of £46 million in prize money despite their Round of 16 exit to PSG. This total could see Liverpool back in the green for their accounts in 2024/25.
Necessary Sale of Players
With only an estimated £45.5 million available to spend and a huge summer rebuild ahead. Liverpool will no doubt need to raise funds for new acquisitions.
Players like Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas all subject to speculation. Their transfers would offset Liverpool’s PSR deficit.
Darwin Nunez’s time is up
In January Liverpool received an offer for Darwin Nunez in the region of £62.4 million from the Saudi Pro League. The striker has cult status at the club and fans have always wanted him to succeed. However many have started to realize that patience in this game will cost you titles. If such an offer is received Liverpool were certainly cash in.
Caoimhin Kelleher as No.1
Beloved by the fans, Kelleher has been an admirable deputy to Alisson Becker. With the Irishman turning 27 in November, he has long made his desire to be a first choice Keeper clear. Hailed as ‘the best Backup Goalie in the League’, the Liverpool Academy graduate is linked with moves away in the region of £30-40 million.
Harvey Elliott’s Predicament
Still only 21 years of age, Harvey Elliott has already made 182 senior appearances in his professional career. With the boyhood Liverpool fan unable to break into Arne Slot’s plans, the club may be forced to let go of the talented Englishman. Both Brighton and Dortmund were rumoured to be interested with a fee of £40 million likely to be sufficient.
Funds Received
If Liverpool were to cash in on 3 of the 7 mentioned, their earning could exceed between £120-£140 million in fees received.
These funds would then facilitate the moulding of the squad to fit Arne Slot’s tactical approach into the next season and beyond.
Who doesn’t love Contracts
Liverpool’s main stars (Salah, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold) are out of contract in 3 months. Certainly not breaking news however, with each passing day their departures look ever more likely.
Unless the club find a compromise, the trio could very well be playing their last games for the club when Liverpool face Crystal Palace at Anfield on the 25th May.
Their departures would see Liverpool save £39 million in wages over the course of a season. This is not accommodating for their potential salary growth if they were to sign new deals.
Huge Summer Ahead
Richard Hughes and his team have an enormous summer ahead. The scale of rebuild required if contracts are not signed will quite possibly be the largest summer window Liverpool fans have ever seen.
The Club will be hoping to raise upwards of £140 million. This would allow Liverpool to spend approximately £200 million on their reinforcements.
With players like Alexander Isak being rumoured to be worth well upwards of £120 million, the club’s business will have to be shrewd.
At this moment, Liverpool face an uphill battle. Fortunately, in recent times the Transfer Committee has proved to be one of the best in Europe. With some clever business, we could see Arne Slot field a rejuvenated squad ready again to challenge for Europe’s highest honours.
