CASH IN THE ATTACK!
Liverpool announce record revenues and large profits even after big-time investment in their formidable front three – and Van Dijk is next...
NIGEL PEARSON envies Jurgen Klopp’s unbreakable bond with his Liverpool players as the Kop close in on a bundle of Premier League records. The runaway leaders will beat Manchester City’s record of 18 consecutive top-flight wins – set in 2017 – if they take all three points at Vicarage Road tomorrow evening. Watford boss Pearson (left) said: “This Liverpool team has an opportunity to create history this year. “Jurgen is always smiling and it’s difficult not to admire the connection he has with his players. There’s obviously a very close bond.” Pearson, whose side are stuck in the drop zone, added: “Whatever people say about Liverpool, we have our own agenda and that’s to save our season.”
LIVERPOOL’S recordbreaking success will enable them to keep hold of their biggest stars.
The runaway Premier League leaders now have the financial muscle to match any club in world football.
In the past few years superstars like Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho have left Anfield for Barcelona but those moves now look to be a thing of the past.
And after tying down stars like feared front three Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, who all got huge new pay deals in the last year, Liverpool will next turn their attention to the most coveted defender on the planet, Virgil van Dijk.
The Anfield club’s yearend results up until May 31 2019 have shown a record level of revenue from television, commercial and stadium income.
But profits before tax were more than halved on the previous year to just £42million. That’s because the club’s board reinvested – with turnover up by £78m to a record £533m – in improved salaries to keep the best players on Merseyside.
“Alisson, Keita, Fabinho and Shaqiri all signed for LFC,” read a club statement. “The first-team squad was further reinforced with 11 players renewing their contracts, including the club captain Jordan Henderson, Firmino, Salah, Mane, Robertson and Alexanderarnold.”
Chief operating officer Andy Hughes explained that such investment does not come cheap in a market which is dominated by big spenders such as Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, and fallen Manchester United.
He said: “The underlying financial sustainability of the club is enabling us to make significant investments both in player recruitment and infrastructure.
“Being able to reinvest over £220m on players during this financial period is a result of a successful business strategy, particularly the significant uplift in commercial revenues.
“The cost of football, however, does continue to rise in transfers and associated fees but what’s critical for us is the giants consistency of our financial position, enabling us to live within our means and continue to run a sustainable football club.” Liverpool now have the third-highest wage bill in the Premier League. And with Van Dijk (left) due to get a new contract, which could easily make him the highestpaid defender in world football, in the summer, costs will rise once more.
Kop manager Jurgen Klopp has also signed a new contract which will be felt in next year’s financial results, and the club are also making big efforts to tie their brightest stars of the future to long contracts.
Teenager Harvey Elliott will sign a three-year deal in the summer, after he turns 17, which will keep him at the club until 2023.
But the Reds will also hope to extend that on his 18th birthday.
Another rising Kop star, Curtis Jones, is also likely to get improved terms, which shows Liverpool’s commitment to the future.
Hughes added: “These financial results and this sustained period of solid growth is testament to our ownership, Fenway Sports Group, who continue to support the club’s ambitions and continue to reinvest revenues to strengthen the playing squad and the club’s infrastructure to build for the future.”