Liverpool chief Executive Billy Hogan has revealed that Liverpool are prepared in case they fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League - with owners FSG well aware that you can’t always rely on obtaining the financial boost of competing in Europe’s elite competition.
The Reds had only once qualified for the tournament under their American owners prior to Jurgen Klopp’s arrival in October 2015. However, since securing a top-four finish in 2016/17, Liverpool have competed in the Champions League in each of the past six seasons, reaching the final three times and once being crowned European champions along the way.
The Reds currently sit ninth in the Premier League table following last weekend’s disappointing draw with Brighton & Hove Albion as their slow start to the campaign continued. With a trip to Arsenal next up in the English top-flight before they host reigning champions Manchester City, Liverpool trail the league-leaders by 11 points, Pep Guardiola's men by 10 points and sit four points behind fourth-placed Brighton.
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez breaks silence on 'difficult' Liverpool start and not understanding Jurgen Klopp
But with Champions League qualification remaining the Reds’ minimum goal this season, Hogan insisted that the club would remain sustainable even if they missed out, with FSG determined to continue building the club up both on and off the pitch.
“That (Champions League qualification) is always our goal at the beginning of the season,” he told SportBILD , quoted by Sport Witness . “Of course, qualification is important because of the turnover.
“But we manage the club in such a way that we make sure that we are as sustainable as possible. You can’t automatically count on Champions League qualification.
“ Jurgen wants to leave the club in a better shape than what he found it. He succeeded in Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool.
“Sales have doubled since he arrived. The stadium will be significantly bigger. We have a new training ground. The club has grown significantly in the past six or seven years. We want to continue that because we think there is still a lot of potential.”
READ NEXT
What Jordan Henderson did before Mohamed Salah penalty as new Liverpool trick works again
What Liverpool dressing room thinks of formation change as big Arsenal question raised
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher left speechless after Thierry Henry makes Erling Haaland comparison
Jurgen Klopp finds new midfield option as bold change helps Mohamed Salah
