LIVERPOOL are still likely to be handed their first league title in 30 years – even if the season is abandoned because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.
The Reds are just two wins away from being crowned champions – buy may find their opportunity to do so curtailed by the suspension of the Premier League.
Liverpool are set to be crowned champions… even if the season is suspendedCredit: PA:Press Association
According to the Telegraph, however, a “senior club executive” has revealed that there is little opposition to the Anfield club being awarded the title.
Jurgen Klopp’s men sit 25 points of second-placed Manchester City – ahead of what is likely to be the sport’s longest suspension in this country since World War II.
Football’s governing bodies have been left scrambling for solutions – with this situation unprecedented in the modern game.
The Premier League and EFL initially announced on Friday morning that football would be suspended until April 3.
And the governing bodies had arranged for the season to still reach a proper conclusion, should it resume promptly on April 4.
But with the virus now not projected to reach its peak until May or June – these plans appear to have gone swiftly out of the window.
A senior figure at an unnamed Premier League club told the Telegraph: “There is so much more at stake.
“There is a focus on whether Liverpool will be champions, but that will be an irrelevance in the scheme of things. There is an intent we will recommence, but will that be possible?”
Another pressing matter would be the issue of promotion and relegation.
There has been a suggestion that the Championship’s incumbent top two, Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion could be promoted to a 22-team Premier League for next season.
The League Cup would be temporarily axed to accommodate the extra fixtures, with five teams getting relegated instead of three in order to return to the status quo for the 2021-22 campaign.
Elland Road could yet still become a Premier League ground again next seasonCredit: Rex Features
And in terms of continental qualification – it has been mooted that this season’s Champions League sides would keep their places in the competition.
This would mean places for Liverpool, Manchester City [subject to their Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal] and Chelsea – as well as a respite for eighth-placed Spurs.
Third-placed Leicester would go into an expanded qualifying phase.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
