PFA chief Gordon Taylor has revealed Premier League matches may not be the full 90 minutes if and when the 2019-20 season resumes from the coronavirus lockdown.
The remainder of the English top flight looks likely to be played behind closed doors and in neutral stadiums across the country this summer.
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How the 2019-20 Premier League table would look if games only lasted 80 minutes
Man Utd would be even closer to a top four spot if games lasted just 80 minutesCredit: AFP or licensors
Rushing back to action means there could be more injuries stemming from severe lack of match fitness.
To counteract that fear, Taylor has suggested games could be SHORTER – and with more substitutions allowed – in a bid to prevent any knocks.
Taylor said: “We don’t know the future… what we do know is what propositions have been put forward and ideas.
“More subs, games possibly not being full 45 minutes each way, neutral stadiums… there’s lots of things put forward.
“We’re trying to wait to see what proposals are and have the courtesy to let the managers and coaches and players assimilate all those and come to a considered view.”
With that in mind, we’ve recalculated the Premier League table for this current term based on matches being ten minutes shorter.
KINGS OF THE LATE GOAL
Most notably, of course, are Liverpool, who in reality are 25 points clear atop the standings and needing a maximum of two wins to seal their first-ever Premier League title and their first top-flight crown in 30 years.
In the alternate universe, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds would still be top, but having dropped TEN points to sit just 15 points ahead of Manchester City.
Liverpool have become real escape artists this season, leaving it late on a number of occasions to steal victory from the jaws of defeat, including the 2-1 win over Aston Villa, scoring their equaliser in the 87th minute and winner in the fourth minute of added time.
In shortened matches, Manchester United and Arsenal are big winners, gaining five and four points respectively to put them much nearer the top four, while Chelsea would see a two-point bump.
But it’s bad news for Newcastle – also masters of the late goal – as they would lose seven points to slip to 19th in the standings, staring relegation in the face.
Norwich would be hot on their heels too, still in last place, but five points better off as they aim for a great escape.
Arsenal would see a boost if matches were only 80 minutes, but Newcastle would slip to 19thCredit: Reuters
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Other big winners from shorter games would be relegation-battling trio Watford, Villa and Bournemouth.
Sheffield United would be big losers, slipping way down the standings and out of European contention, dropping six points.
Tottenham, too, would be even worse off – shedding five points to drop to 12th in the league table.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
