Liverpool have received huge 'cash injection' to bankroll January transfer spending spree

Liverpool are reaping the rewards of their superb Champions League campaign ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Arne Slot's side are on the verge of booking their place in the Champions League last 16 after they maintained their unbeaten run in this season's competition with a 1-0 win over Girona.

It is only the second time in the club's history that they have won their opening six matches of a European campaign.

And as a result of their fine form in the Champions League’s new format, which includes a 36-team league phase, Liverpool have received a cash boost ahead of the January transfer window.

Any club that makes it into Europe's top club competition is automatically entitled to €18.62 million before any performance or broadcasting bonuses are taken into consideration.

On top of that, UEFA awards each team with €2.1 million for every win they register and €700,000 for each draw.

That means after pocketing the initial €18.62 million for participation and picking up six wins worth €2.1 million each, they have already earned a hefty amount.

UEFA have already outlined that the Champions League league phase performance bonuses for matchdays 1-4 were handed out on November 22, while bonuses for MD5-8 are scheduled for payment on February 21, 2025.

As you can see from the graph below, posted by X user Football Meets Data, the Reds picked up a significant chunk of cash after MD4.

And if they continue to pick up wins and finish top, Liverpool will receive a further €9.9 million in prize money.

💸💰📊 UEFA Champions League (unofficial) prize money rankings after MD4:

🔹 Liverpool 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 overtakes Man City 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 as the highest earner!
🔹 Inter 🇮🇹 climbs above €60m
🔹 Atalanta 🇮🇹, Monaco 🇫🇷, Lille 🇫🇷 climb above €50m
🔹 Salzburg 🇦🇹, Club Brugge 🇧🇪 climb above €40m

Each draw… pic.twitter.com/cy3K9rcXNh

— Football Meets Data (@fmeetsdata) November 7, 2024

Who have Liverpool been linked with ahead of the January window?

After a relatively quiet summer that featured just two signings – Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa – it appears Arne Slot will be handed more significant funds to improve his squad depth in January.

In fact, Liverpool are planning to make a combined £91 million swoop for Bournemouth's in-form left-back Milos Kerkez and Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, according to TeamTalk.

It is said Bournemouth want at least £40 million to 'start the conversation' around Kerkez but Liverpool are prepared to make it happen. Zubimendi, meanwhile, has been linked with a move for some time.

In terms of other potential targets, Brazilian publication UOL suggest Liverpool are keen on bringing Brighton striker Joao Pedro to Anfield, with reports suggesting that negotiations will begin in January.