Liverpool stars could face pay cut if they don’t qualify for Champions League

Liverpool stars will lose up to five per cent of their earnings if they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season.

The club expects to lose at least 12-million pounds in UEFA riches if missing out on the top four, and they will also slash between two to three million pounds off the wage bill in bonuses.

All the payments to the Kop's playing staff are performance- related with rewards for Champions League participation and appearances amalgamated into their salaries.

It's a policy that is widely supported by the players and agreed when they commit to the club, for offering greater motivation to achieve success, News of The World reports.

This is the first season when a pay cut has been a genuine threat.

It means next week's trip to top-four rivals Manchester City could be another defining fixture in coach Rafa Benitez's reign.