Liverpool FC release new ticket price statement as club is told of 'existential threat' of planned increases

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MP says he is "appalled" by three-year price increase plan as Reds' CEO Billy Hogan offers 'clarity' behind decisionLiverpool FC's decision to increase ticket prices over the next three years has been described as an "existential threat" for fans as the Reds' chief executive issues a new statement defending the controversial decision.At the end of last month, Liverpool announced ticket prices would be rising in line with the Consumer Price Index for inflation over the next three years.This will see season ticket prices increase next season from between £21.50 and £27, while the cost of individual match tickets for those without season tickets will go up from between £1.25 and £1.75. The group said its iconic flags will not be on display for the remaining Anfield fixtures this season - apart from next week's Champions League match with PSG, where respects will be paid for the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.Today Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, a lifelong Reds fan and member of the Spirit of Shankly management committee accused the club of "trying to kill off something that every club would want" in terms of the famous Anfield atmosphere by hitting hard-up fans with multi-year price increases.But in a lengthy statement issued to Reds' season ticket holders and members this afternoon, LFC CEO Billy Hogan sought to explain the rationale behind the club's decision.He said: "No one at Liverpool Football Club takes decisions on ticket pricing lightly.

Over the last decade, we have increased ticket prices by just 4% to keep any rise in ticket prices to a minimum."Mr Hogan said that it is against this backdrop that the club believes that linking any increases to inflation - confirmed as a 3% rise for next season - is the "fairest and most transparent" way to attempt to cover some of those uncontrollable costs."The Reds' boss said the ticket price rises will not fully cover the club's increased costs but will help and allow more investment back into the club. The club says every pound generated is reinvested back into the playing squad and infrastructure.Mr Hogan added: "Record revenue does not equate to profit given these ever increasing costs and that’s borne out by the losses the club has reported over the years."But for Mr Byrne and the rest of the supporters union, this explanation is unlikely to dampen down the anger being felt, with particular outrage at Liverpool introducing a multi-year price increase across the next three seasons.The West Derby MP told the ECHO: "I'm utterly appalled, astounded and ashamed that Liverpool are the first club to come up with a multi-year price increase.

He said the move limits any increase over the next three seasons to the rate of inflation.He added: "We do recognise how world events can impact inflation, which is why the club has capped any increase to a maximum of 5% for season two and three, should inflation increase beyond this number."The club says that under current forecasts, adult general admission matchday tickets will rise by between £3 and £4.50 over the full three years, while the most expensive adult GA match ticket in 2028-29 will be £65.50. Adult general admission season tickets would increase by between £53.50 and £67.50 over three years, with the most expensive in 2028-29 coming in at £971.50.The CEO told the club's members that Liverpool is operating in a league where other clubs have increased prices at a materially higher rate over the past decade - pointing out that since 2016/17, LFC's competitors in the top six have increased ticket fees by an average of 17% while Anfield's prices have gone up by 4% in the same period.Mr Hogan said the club remains committed to "continued, meaningful engagement" with the club's Supporters Board on ticketing policy and other matters.