Liverpool’s surprising 19th place ranking in ‘net owner funding’: a stark contrast to dominant Man City
A recent report by The Athletic delves into the financial landscapes of Premier League clubs, shedding light on how each team generates revenue. However, Liverpool’s section in the report has left their loyal fanbase feeling disgruntled.
The report discloses that Liverpool ranks a disheartening 19th in terms of ‘net owner funding’ over the past five years. This metric represents the funds injected by owners into the club, minus any dividends withdrawn. Astonishingly, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool’s owners, have displayed a negative net owner funding of £37 million during this period.
To compound matters, a stark comparison to Manchester City’s owners amplifies the disappointment. Over the same five-year span, City’s owners have invested a staggering £81 million into the club, with the figure escalating significantly over the past decade.
The report also evaluates transfer spending over the course of five years, positioning Liverpool at £660 million—trailing behind Manchester City’s £992 million, Manchester United’s £850 million, and Arsenal’s £676 million.
Liverpool fans, upon learning of these findings, understandably expressed their gratitude towards manager Jurgen Klopp for his remarkable accomplishments during this period. On a Reddit thread, fans reacted passionately to the report’s revelations. One succinctly praised Klopp, stating, “Klopp is a freaking genius. That’s all.” Another fan appeared genuinely shocked, exclaiming, “Shocking, I’m telling you I’m shocked.”
Some fans were less surprised, acknowledging the limitations imposed by the club’s funding. One fan admitted, “Can’t say I’m shocked, the manager can only do so many miracles with the funding he has had.” The looming departure of Klopp evoked concern from another fan, who lamented, “Going to be painful when Klopp leaves.” Meanwhile, a worried supporter expressed apprehension for the club’s future, remarking, “Spend like a mid-table club and we will eventually become one. Once Klopp and our current backbone of players go, and FSG are still our owners, I dread to see what becomes of this club.”
Prior to this summer, Klopp addressed the lavish spending of rivals, Chelsea, affirming that Liverpool would not engage in reckless splurges to rebuild the team. In an interview with Sky Sports, Klopp emphasized the importance of team-building and creating camaraderie. He cited Chelsea’s struggles as evidence that assembling a team solely based on marquee signings is an unsustainable approach. Klopp emphasized Liverpool’s commitment to bringing in the right players and embarking on a new chapter while acknowledging the team’s remarkable journey thus far.
As Liverpool contends with their financial challenges, the faith and admiration of their devoted fans remain steadfast. While they express concerns and frustrations, they also acknowledge the achievements under Klopp’s guidance and eagerly anticipate the club’s future endeavors.