Liverpool’s Champions League hopes came crashing down on Tuesday evening as they were knocked out by PSG on penalties.
Having entered the second leg with a slender 1-0 advantage, the Reds could not get over the line in 120 minutes of action, with Darwin Nunez’s missed penalty ultimately costing them.
Liverpool will no doubt be ‘distraught’ after their Champions League elimination, especially having topped the inaugural league phase in comfortable fashion.
With the Munich final now off the table, Liverpool will not only be unable to get their hands on the coveted trophy, but it also means they will now miss out on the vast financial rewards Champions League success brings.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool miss out on £45m worth of Champions League prize money
The newly-formed Champions League has brought a new sense of intrigue to the competition but it has also brought new financial rewards for its participants.
For example, Liverpool banked £84m for topping the league phase earlier in the competition – a hefty sum which will no doubt help boost funds this summer.
The Reds, however, will not be able to soak up the riches of the knockout phase after their heartbreaking elimination.
Speaking exclusively to RTK, Football finance expert Adam Williams has since revealed the true extent of how Liverpool will be financially affected by their Champions League defeat.
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“After the league phase, Liverpool had already earned prize money of around £84m.
“They got the maximum league ranking bonus for finishing top of the pile, while they also earned around £30m in bonuses for seven wins out of eight matches.
“They also benefit from the way UEFA distribute money based on the value of each nation’s domestic TV deal, plus their coefficient.
Photo by Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Pantling – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
“These are all changes that FSG have actively lobbied for. After the Super League breakaway failed, UEFA have placated them and others by introducing the new Champions League format and revising the distribution mechanism.
“So while from a sporting perspective it is devastating to have been knocked out, the insurance that the new format gives them financially is exactly what FSG wanted.
“Even in a year where they have underperformed expectations, Liverpool will have reached £100m in revenue from the competition when you include matchday income too.
“That said, going all the way this season would have been worth an extra £45m or thereabouts. Add two more home games in the quarter-final and semi-final ties and their total takings from the competition could easily have reached £160m.”
Champions League cash could have helped contract situation
Liverpool had been tipped as champions and that extra £45m could have potentially helped secure the futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.
With all three of their contract situations still up in the air, FSG may have been hoping for the Champions League cash to help negotiations.
The Reds have the chance to pick up more prize money in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle, but the League Cup’s winning prize pot of £100,000 is far behind the riches of Europe.
Liverpool’s 15-point lead at the top of the league, however, suggests they could be in for a nice Premier League payday if they don’t miraculously slip-up in the run-in.