Exclusive: Kieran Maguire outlines just how hard Liverpool's finances could be hit by missing UCL football
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Liverpool missing out on qualification for next season’s Champions League could have hugely damaging financial implications, Kieran Maguire has exclusively told Rousing The Kop.The Reds are in real danger of dropping from Europe’s premier club competition next season, though they currently hold the final qualifying position in the Premier League table.With some tough fixtures still to come, there is a chance Liverpool will fall into either the Europa League or Europa Conference League for the second time in four seasons. Credit: Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images Europa League money cannot compare to Champions LeagueWhether Liverpool qualify for the Champions League or not will likely play a big part in whether or not Arne Slot stays in his job with the Reds.But according to Maguire, it may also have some implications for the amount of money they can spend in the upcoming transfer window.Though last year’s heavy spending has likely been swallowed by their profits from playing in the Champions League again, they won’t have that same luxury if they drop down a rung or two.READ MORE: Hugo Ekitike could be back playing for Liverpool in September by following Eberechi Eze’s lead“Liverpool won’t be hampered by the purchase of players last year,” Maguire told RTK.
“They will have recouped that through their European participation in the 2025/26 season, even though it came to an end earlier than they would like. Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images“But the most important thing for Liverpool is to ensure that they are in the top five this season and that they do qualify for the Champions League.
“That will completely reset the budget in the sense that they know they’ll be guaranteed that minimum of £30m just for turning up, 2 million Euros for a victory and probably every time they’ve got a home fixture at Anfield they’re probably looking at another six million on top of that plus sponsor bonuses. “For every £100 you get in Champions League prize money, it’s £22 in the Europa League and only £11 in the Conference, so that top five position is the core focus of Liverpool.”With so much riding on a top-five position for Liverpool this season, and so much work to do in regards to squad-building, it is going to be a nervy end to the campaign for supporters.