LIVERPOOL may have pushed Manchester United all the way in the Premier League title race but are lagging behind in the money standings.

In figures released yesterday, which take into account earnings from prize money and television deals, the Anfield club rank fourth in the table.

Not surprisingly Alex Ferguson’s men top the list having amassed £90m in the 2008/09 campaign from their championship win and good cup form.

With the earnings broken down in to league, European competition and other cups, the table clearly show Rafael Benitez’s side have suffered financially from their quarter-final Champions League exit – the Anfield outfit accumulated £72.3 this term. Chelsea pocketed £81.2m while Arsenal, who finished two places and 14 points behind Liverpool, still took home £73.4m.

The figures make similar downbeat reading for Everton, who after a fine season, were left with revenue much less than the top four clubs in the league.

Despite finishing fifth and reaching the FA Cup final, David Moyes’s men earned just £49.5m and nothing from their brief foray into Europe.

Each of the English sides involved in the Champions League this season gained at least £20m, making the gap between the ‘big four’ and rest ever greater.

A UEFA source admitted revenue distribution from the Champions League could have a negative effect on national leagues.

The source said: "We acknowledge imbalances can widen the gap between the rich and not so rich. We are talking to the clubs to see if there is a way the money can be distributed so the national leagues do not become too imbalanced."

Premier League chairmen are meeting this week in the knowledge the gap will only grow unless the balance is redressed.

Manchester United had 25 games screened live last season, bagging £12m as a result compared to eight clubs who received the minimum of £4.8m.