Source: Liverpool_Echo
Why Liverpool FC need new owners to compete with their richest rivals
IT'S A disappointing season for Liverpool FC fans.[LNB]Knocked out of the Champions League and out of contention for the top spot in the Premier League, Reds supporters must wait until next year before their club can have another go at claiming football's biggest prizes.[LNB]In the meantime, an increasing number of supporters are pointing the finger of blame at club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, saying they have not lived up to their original promises of investment in the squad and a new ground, not to mention keeping the club's balance sheet free of debt.[LNB]While there is no foreseeable danger Liverpool could suffer the same fate as Portsmouth last week by going into administration, the Anfield club is struggling to match the financial strength of its wealthiest rivals - Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City.[LNB]According to a report published today, Liverpool are the seventh richest club in Europe.[LNB]Accountancy firm Deloitte's Football Money League report puts the financial gap between Liverpool and Europe's richest club, Real Madrid, at £157m, as measured by last season's annual turnover.[LNB]The gap with England's richest club, Manchester United, is £94m, while the gap with Premier League leaders Chelsea is £22m.[LNB]Breaking down those headline figures by type of income, it is clear Liverpool's low matchday revenues are the biggest difference between these clubs (see table).[LNB] The relatively small capacity of Anfield compared to Old Trafford and the Emirates is holding the Merseyside club back.[LNB]That could only be fixed by a new ground at Stanley Park.[LNB]The Deloitte report said: 'Liverpool's aspirations to build a new 73,000-capacity stadium at Stanley Park have remained on hold throughout 2009 as the club's owners are waiting for the appropriate time to raise finance.[LNB]'With 10,000 corporate seats, the enhanced matchday revenues of the proposed new stadium will hold the key to helping Liverpool close the gap on its rivals in the Money League.'
