Image Credits: Imago Images
The race for next season’s Champions League places is turning into a slog, and Liverpool have picked the worst possible time to stumble. Arne Slot’s side’s damaging defeat away to Wolves has not only halted momentum, it has also seen the Reds lose precious ground in a congested battle where one bad week can knock you from favourites to outsiders.
Under UEFA’s new format, the Premier League is almost certain to receive a fifth Champions League spot thanks to England’s dominant showing in Europe and a commanding position in the association coefficient table.
Four English clubs reached the Champions League knockouts this season and those results, combined with strong showings in the Europa League and Conference League, have effectively nailed down one of the two “European Performance Spots” on offer. In other words, finishing fifth should still be enough for Champions League football – but Liverpool are now in real danger of missing even that safety net.
According to BBC Sport’s report on the financial implications, the stakes could hardly be higher.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire explains that dropping out of the Champions League could end up costing Liverpool in the region of £120m once all revenue streams are taken into account. UEFA figures show the scale of the gap: Liverpool earned around €98.1m (about £85.3m) in distributions for reaching the last 16 of the Champions League in 2024‑25, compared to just €26.8m (around £23.3m) for a Europa League quarter-final run the season before
That lost prize money is only the start. Maguire explains that Champions League absence hits matchday income through fewer high-profile Anfield nights, dents broadcasting revenue and triggers smaller bonuses from major sponsors written into commercial deals.
However, due to how well the club is run, it’s stated that the Reds can “withstand the revenue drop”
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.