Liverpool’s summer spending could provide a welcome boost to their transfer budget, despite none of them recouping fees from sales.
The final home game of the season against Aston Villa saw a number of senior players bid an emotional farewell at Anfield, each with a rich collection of medals to take on the challenges ahead.
James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita were all named guards of honor after a 1-1 draw on 20 May, with mercenary Arthur parting ways with the club having amassed just 20 minutes of football in 2022/23.
All five players will officially leave the Reds on July 1, taking their salaries off the club’s books for next season
Their departure will free up £535,000 in salary payments each week, amounting to a substantial £27.8 million a year
It could be a useful windfall for Jurgen Klopp as he plans his summer rebuilding after a disappointing campaign in which his side ultimately fell short on all fronts.
The arrival of Alexis Mac Allister last month was the first step in the manager’s plans to fill out the midfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai expected to follow in the coming days.
Neither player would top Liverpool’s earnings list alongside Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Thiago, and both are likely to fit comfortably into the club’s current salary structure.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be the next player to receive a significant pay rise, with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2025.
The Scouser’s importance to the side was highlighted by his significant resurgence in form following his move to a hybrid right-back and midfield role towards the end of the season.
As things stand, that means Liverpool’s wage bill is significantly lower than it was this time 12 months ago.
The Reds have plenty to do after a summer of relative inactivity in 2022, highlighted by underperformance which saw the team drop out of Champions League places for the first time since 2016.
Not taking part in Europe’s elite club competition 2023/24 has always had its own financial implications, but Liverpool will have funds from elsewhere to finance the operation which is still needed.
The Reds have been busy in 2022 after a summer of relative inactivity, highlighted by a performance so poor that the side were knocked out of Champions League places for the first time since 2016.
Not taking part in Europe’s elite club competition 2023/24 has always had its own financial implications, but Liverpool will have funds from elsewhere to finance the operation which is still needed.
