Liverpool handed £777m verdict as Kylian Mbappe transfer leads to major boost

New research suggests Liverpool have the sixth most valuable squad in world football, with a collective worth of £777m, according to figures released this week. The Reds are rated just outside the top five of the most expensive assembly of players on the planet, with Real Madrid's free-transfer of France superstar Kylian Mbappe seeing them usurp Manchester City in top spot.

Liverpool's total value of £777m, which converted into Euros sits at €923m, sees them behind Bayern Munich (€943m), Chelsea (€960m), Arsenal (€1170m), Manchester City (€1260m) and Real Madrid, who are in first place with a valuation of a whopping €1340m.

Figures released by Sportingpedia suggest the Reds find themselves outside the top five in the world, with Arsenal's recent resurgence under Mikel Arteta reflecting their growth and Chelsea's remarkably bloated squad also seeing them place near the top.

READ MORE: 'It's my life' - Martin Zubimendi speaks out on Liverpool decision after £51m transfer collapse

READ MORE: FSG rule change, two-year deal, Gordon transfer - Verdict on Mohamed Salah Liverpool contract

Pep Guardiola's City have won the Premier League title for the last four seasons and are the highest-rated English club as a result, but they have now been overtaken by Real Madrid in first place, who enjoyed a La Liga and Champions League double last term before signing Mbappe to one of the most lucrative free-agent contracts of all time in football.

Liverpool's decision to add just Federico Chiesa to their ranks this summer for a fee of around £12.5m from Juventus means they are £351m short of Madrid, whose squad includes the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, players with valuations all between £85m and £150m on influential website Transfermarkt.

And despite another big-spending summer at Old Trafford, where Erik ten Hag was permitted around £200m in the transfer window, Manchester United are only the fifth highest Premier League club in ninth.

Sportpedia say: "The Premier League’s overwhelming presence in both the top 10 and top 20, with six teams among the top 10 and ten in the top 20, demonstrates its unparalleled financial dominance.

"This is driven by substantial TV rights deals, sponsorships, and a robust international fan base, which together enable even mid-table clubs to invest heavily in their squads. The inclusion of teams like Newcastle and Brighton alongside the traditional 'big six' illustrates the depth of financial strength across the league.

"Interestingly, five clubs among the top 20 most valuable squads will not feature in this season’s Champions League and they are all English. This includes Chelsea, Tottenham, Brighton, West Ham, and Newcastle, which, despite their high squad values, did not qualify for Europe’s premier competition.

"This situation underscores the unpredictable nature of football, where financial investment does not always translate into immediate on-field success. However, it also suggests potential for future breakthroughs, as these clubs continue to build and compete at high levels."

Liverpool's squad valuation has grown organically in recent times with the club-record transfer fee still standing at the £75m they paid for Virgil van Dijk in January 2018. Last summer saw the Reds spend around £150m on four new players as Dominik Szobosozlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo all added to the midfield department.

The agreement that brought Darwin Nunez to Anfield from Benfica over two years ago has the potential to be the most costly of all time at Anfield, but the £85m deal was worth an initial £64m with add-ons centring around appearances and trophies during his time with the club.

One factor that has perhaps decreased the overall number is the age and contract situation of players like Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. At 33 and 32, respectively, their valuations would significantly inflate the total number if they were not edging towards their mid-30s. They remain two of the most important players at Liverpool but valuations naturally drop the closer players get to the end of their careers.

According to Transfermarkt, whose figures inform Sportingpedia, Liverpool's three most valuable players are Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai, both at £63m, while Trent Alexander-Arnold - another inside final year - is worth £58m on account of him being able to speak to clubs outside of England about a pre-contract agreement in January.

Mac Allister has boosted his worth considerably since making the £35m move to Anfield in June 2023. The Argentina international had a release clause in his terms at Brighton & Hove Albion prior to his transfer to Anfield. The midfielder has won the Copa America and World Cup with his national side since penning those terms in October of last year and also marked his first year with the Reds by lifting the Carabao Cup.