Liverpool post £57m loss after 2023/24 Champions League absence

Liverpool posted a loss before tax of £57million (€69million) last season as their Champions League absence and soaring administrative costs took their toll.

After a loss of £9m (€10.9m) the previous year, a £38m (€46.1m) drop in media revenue for 2023-24, combined with an increase of a similar amount in general expenses, resulted in the club spending a second season in the red.

While commercial revenue rose by £36m (€43.6m) to surpass £300m (€363.56) for the first time, and matchday income rose by £22m (€26.6m) thanks to the opening of the new Anfield Road stand, staff costs – primarily wages and associated bonuses – increased by £13m (€15.75m) to £386million (€467.78m).

That was in part down to bonuses due for Champions League qualification and a Carabao Cup win last season.

The wage bill was eased by the departure of higher-earners like Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner.

However, the acquisition of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch for a combined £150m and the extension of 11 contracts, plus recruitment and renewals for the women's team, all added to costs.

Inflation has taken its toll on finances, with matchday costs increasing by almost 80 per cent in eight years and forecast to top 100 per cent by 2027, utility bills more than doubling in three years and administrative expenses increasing by 88 per cent from £320m to £600m since 2018.

Nevertheless, chief finance officer Jenny Beacham said the club would maintain "investment opportunities in our operations, infrastructure and players".

"Operating a financially sustainable club continues to be our priority and, with the continued increase in costs, it’s essential to grow