Xherdan Shaqiri and Christian Benteke, two former Liverpool players, are among the top 10 highest-paid players in the MLS. Shaqiri, who now plays for Chicago Fire, is the current top earner with a guaranteed salary equivalent to around £126,000 per week. Meanwhile, Benteke earns £68,000 per week for DC United, making him the ninth highest earner in the league. Although their wages in the MLS are significantly lower than what they were earning at Liverpool (Shaqiri at £80,000 and Benteke at £140,000 per week, respectively), they are still doing well for themselves.
However, wages don’t always correlate to performances on the pitch. Last season, Shaqiri’s Chicago finished 12th in the 14-team Eastern Conference and are on course to end up in a similar position this time around. For DC United, Benteke hasn’t fared much better – his side finished last season bottom of the table, though the Belgian only arrived towards the end of the campaign. Shaqiri and Benteke are set to meet in September when their teams play each other in the Eastern Conference of the MLS.