Liverpool’s financial report for the 2023/24 season has revealed a surprising detail: The club paid £9.6 million to Jurgen Klopp and his backroom staff following their departure. This payout contributed to a rise in the wage bill, despite the Reds offloading several high-earning players last summer.
Liverpool reported a pre-tax loss of £57 million for the season, with media revenue dropping by £38 million due to their participation in the Europa League instead of the Champions League. Despite this, the wage bill increased by £13 million, even after the departures of senior players like Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita.
New signings such as Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo were expected to earn less than those who left, raising questions about where the additional costs came from.
The £9.6m Payout Explained
According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, the £9.6 million payout covered combined pay-offs for Klopp and his backroom staff, including payments related to the time remaining on their contracts and loyalty bonuses.
Among those who left with Klopp were Pep Lijnders, Peter Krawietz, Vitor Matos, John Achterberg, Jack Robinson, Andreas Kornmayer, and Andreas Schlumberger. However, Achterberg and Kornmayer did not receive payments, as their contracts were set to expire in 2024.
Additionally, Liverpool had to pay performance-related bonuses from the 2022/23 Champions League campaign. This likely included rewards for key players like Mohamed Salah, who signed a lucrative contract extension in 2022.
Despite the loss, Liverpool’s Chief Financial Officer, Jenny Beacham, emphasized the club’s commitment to financial stability. “Our priority is to run a sustainable club while keeping up with football’s financial rules,” she said.
The Reds have been careful to balance their spending with revenue growth, particularly in commercial and matchday income, which saw significant increases this season.
