Liverpool lost almost £50 million ($83.6 million) in 2012-13, accounts published yesterday showed, but are looking to return to the Champions League next season to boost their financial performance.

The deficit was similar to losses reported for last season by Chelsea and Manchester City, two of the big spenders who have usurped Liverpool at the top of English soccer in recent seasons.

Liverpool are in second place in the Premier League, four points behind Chelsea.

They last won the league title in 1990 before the Premier League was established two years later.

They look well set to at least finish in the top four and claim a place in the lucrative Champions League in which they last played in 2009-10.

“To get back into the top four has been the priority absolutely,” managing director Ian Ayre said.

“The players and everyone else will be focused on winning every game and if it brings Champions League football, then it will be a fantastic season forus.”

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