Jamie Carragher hits out at FSG’s £1.2m ticket price hike, arguing that the reputational damage outweighs any financial gain.
As Liverpool fans escalate Anfield protests against rising match-day costs, the Reds legend explains why a club generating over £700m in revenue shouldn’t be “squeezing” its most loyal supporters for spare change.
Liverpool supporters staged a powerful visual protest during the Premier League clash against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Despite the Reds securing a professional 2-0 victory with goals from teenage record-breaker Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah the atmosphere was marked by the absence of the club’s iconic flags and banners on the Kop.
The fan group, Spirit of Shankly, organised the ‘no pound in the ground’ scheme, which is set to return this weekend against Crystal Palace, with no talks between the owners and the fans commencing.
The demonstration, organised by supporters groups like Spirit of Shankly and Spion Kop 1906, was a direct response to FSG’s decision to implement further ticket price increases for the 2026/27 season.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher spoke to the Liverpool Echo about the increase in prices, which will see Fenway Sports Group (FSG) net an extra £1.2 million a year, something the 48-year-old feels has no impact on their performances.
“This idea that they need to up ticket prices to pay for these players, it’s absolutely nonsense.”
He continued.
“I just don’t think you need the fight with the supporters over it. There’s no gain (from it).
Carragher backs the supporters
Liverpool spent a lot in the transfer window last summer, as they broke their transfer record twice with the signings of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
The money to buy these players didn’t come from the fans, but from record revenues the club has set in the 2024/25 campaign, which was released by the club on their website back in February.
The club confirmed they achieved a club record as they made over £700 million, and were the highest-ranked Premier League side in the Deloitte Football Money league, in fifth position.
The Reds former vice captain was quick to pick up on this, which made him question why the increase in ticket prices is really necessary.
“I don’t understand the ticket price thing in terms of how much they are bringing in from sponsorship and the revenue from the Premier League, and when you look at wage bills, Liverpool is right up there with the best.”
FSG have been challenged by supporters more than once, such as the breakaway European Super League in 2021, but Carragher believes that they have normally acted in good faith.
“No owners of any club are ever popular, but they have been absolutely fantastic for us. I’d argue that with the staunchest Red who goes home and away.”
Though he believes they may be taking a page out of the book of owners at London clubs, that doesn’t make it acceptable to charge the Kopites more.
“The owners might come back and say their tickets are cheaper than Arsenal or Tottenham, but it’s a north-south thing, and that is never going to wash.”
The Gunners have already announced a rise in their ticket prices next season, with ESPN reporting their cheapest season ticket will cost £1,291, but just like the Merseyside outfit, they also set club record revenues.
Carragher claims that instead of making the fans pay extra to watch their teams, sponsors should cover the costs.
“Liverpool are that big a club, it should be (club sponsors) Adidas, it should be Standard Chartered, they should be paying for the wages. And wouldn’t it be great if we’re seen as the club who had the lowest prices or whatever it would be.”
The 48-year-old claimed it would be an amazing feat not just in England, but across the continent.
“The general admission prices, that’d be a story right around Europe if one of the biggest clubs in the world had the cheapest prices in the Premier League.”
In today’s climate, it feels like supporters aren’t treated as fans any longer, but rather consumers by multiple entities.
The prices to watch football at home on TV are becoming unaffordable, and ticket price increases are becoming normalised.
The scenes at Anfield showcase another warning sign that fans are at their breaking point, and this could continue throughout England, as it feels at all levels that there is a lack of care for the supporters when it comes to prices for tickets.
Over the years, fans from an older generation have spoken about the famous ground losing its spark, with fans already being priced out. If this continues, Anfield will lose its soul, which makes it one of the most feared stadiums to travel to.
As Carragher said, it truly is ‘absolutely nonsense’. Owners come and go, while supporters remain. Pricing loyal fans out of the game is the fastest way to damage their reputation and value, rather than protect it.
