Liverpool’s commercial rise places them 4th in global club rankings | OneFootball

Liverpool Among World’s Most Valuable Clubs Despite £57m Loss

Resilience in Revenue Despite European Absence

Liverpool may have missed out on UEFA Champions League football in the 2023/24 campaign, but their financial might remains remarkably intact. According to a detailed study from NBC Sports, Liverpool have been ranked as the 4th most valuable football club in the world, valued at an impressive $5.4 billion.

This valuation, compiled as part of CNBC’s 2025 Global Soccer Team Valuations, places Liverpool just behind Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Barcelona. Crucially, it underlines how effective the club has become at monetising its global stature, even during a challenging season.

Commercial Strength Offsets Media Decline

Despite reporting a pre-tax loss of £57 million, largely due to a £38 million drop in media revenue, Liverpool posted a record overall revenue of £614 million. This has been driven by shrewd commercial expansion and matchday growth.

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NBC Sports also highlights that Liverpool’s debt sits at just 3% of their total valuation, reinforcing their financial stability in a turbulent market.

Cost Pressures Still Felt

Despite strong revenue streams, administrative costs hit £600 million, with player wages rising to £386 million. Payoffs totalling £9.6 million for former manager Jürgen Klopp and his staff, along with over £150 million spent on transfers (including Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister), contributed to the loss.

Photo by IMAGO

Yet in modern football, investment is essential to remain competitive. And Liverpool’s strategy appears to be paying off in long-term brand and business value.

Valuation Method Highlights Financial Health

CNBC’s valuation model is rooted in revenue and EBITDA, offering a clear sense of a club’s profitability before taxes and other deductions. By using enterprise value—equity plus net debt—they provide a more holistic financial picture.

In Liverpool’s case, the results are clear: minimal debt, soaring commercial value, and elite status on the global football stage.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool fans, this report makes for particularly pleasing reading—not just for what it confirms, but for what it symbolises. Even in a season without Europe’s top table, the club has grown stronger. Financial resilience, once a buzzword, is now baked into the club’s DNA.

The commercial partnerships with Google Pixel and UPS signal a shift. Liverpool are no longer merely a football club—they are a global brand, one that competes with multinational corporations for influence and identity. That’s not always easy for traditionalists to accept, but in the modern game, it’s vital.

The expansion of Anfield, both physically and symbolically, is another source of pride. Seeing 61,000 fans under the lights, roaring on the next generation under Arne Slot, shows ambition rooted in reality. And yes, while losses will always raise eyebrows, they’re also a sign of calculated growth—investing in Klopp’s successor, in marquee signings, in the infrastructure that ensures Liverpool remain at the summit.

To rank 4th globally, while out of the Champions League and amidst transition, is no small feat. It’s a testament to leadership, loyalty, and long-term planning. The only thing left now? Turn financial power into more silverware.