Liverpool makes record pre-tax profit of £ 125m

Liverpool recorded a pre-tax record profit of £ 125 million last year – even after spending £ 190 million on new players.

The previous record was set by Leicester (£ 92.5 million before tax) the season after winning the Premier League and the Champions League.

Overall, the financial figures of the Reds for the year ending May 2018 show an increase of £ 85m compared to the previous 12 months, a year without European football.

This is largely due to rising revenues on the ground and off the course between the race and the Champions League final in Kiev, where they were beaten by Real Madrid.

The financial statements indicate that £ 137 million was paid to the club through player transfers – the largest part being the January sale to Philippe Coutinho in Barcelona for £ 142 million – during the accounting period .

Everything was reinvested, and even more so, as the club strengthened its squad with the recruitment of Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andrew Robertson, Dominic Solanke and Virgil Van Dijk, the latter becoming the most expensive defender in the world. millions of pounds.

Since the end of the reporting period, the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group, have spent more money on players with Naby Keita, Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alisson Becker – briefly the world's most expensive goalkeeper at 65 £ £ – at a cost of £ 165m the transactions will be reflected in the current year 's figures.

However, not all investments were made to the players as the club has redeveloped the £ 50m Kirkby Academy, which includes a new training base.

This will be completed for the start of the 2020/21 season, which means that the biggest financial impact will be felt during the current fiscal year.

Sales increased in the last period by £ 90m to £ 455m. The three sources of revenue increased: the media grew from £ 66 million to £ 220 million, commercial sales increased from £ 17 million to £ 154 million, and corresponding revenues increased from £ 7 million to £ 81 million.

This income level of the day is close to Liverpool"Absolute limit given Anfield's 54,000 capacity constraints and the abandonment of the development of Anfield Road End, a decision that has not yet been made by FSG.

It has been boosted by the extra matches of the Champions League and, although the club's participation in the Premier League title race this year can not generate any extra income from extra matches, this will make it a more appealing proposition commercially.

And while Press Association Sport understands that the club is keen to capitalize on their success on the field, most of their current business sponsorships are tied to long-term agreements.

"Financial results fluctuate based on players' transaction costs and payment schedule, but these latest results clearly show the strengthening of our underlying financial base and reinvested earnings in the team and infrastructure," he said. said the chief financial officer, Andy Hughes.

"Since the reference period, which is now almost 12 months old, we have continued to reinvest in the gaming team from these growth areas.

"We are making solid progress throughout the club. Costs in football continue to grow year by year and it is important that we constantly review and manage our operating costs to ensure we are in good shape for our future success.

"With the continued support of our property group, our performance on the field and our priority to reinvest in the team, we remain focused on achieving all of our football ambitions."