Liverpool have announced the ticket prices for next season, with an increase of 7% hitting supporters who are already incensed with the club's American owners. Part of the rise is due to the return of VAT to 17.5% from its temporary level of 15% introduced by the government during the recession, but most of the extra cash will go to the club.

There had been fears the new ticket prices would be higher as the announcement was late but even so an increase is not going to be well-received with the team finishing seventh in the league and missing out on Champions League football.

Supporters will also argue that an increase could have been avoided altogether if the co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, had not loaded the club with debts of £350m. Kop seats will be £680 online (£732 at window), with the Main Stand, Paddock and Centenary Stands £732 online (£785 at window) and the Anfield Road end, £722 (£774 at window), according to the club's official website.

The long-awaited details came as a new report showed Liverpool are the third highest paying club for player wages in the Premier League, up 18% in 2008-09, according to the Liverpool Echo. The season ticket prices are understood to be based on purchases being made before 25 June.

Liverpool are currently looking for a new manager after Rafael Benítez left the club by mutual consent. Roy Hodgson appears to be the frontrunner but there have been no confirmation of talks between Liverpool and his club Fulham or the manager himself.