Liverpool will discover more about the fate of their title challenge when the Premier League meets on Thursday.
Top- flight clubs will hold a video conference as they attempt to thrash out a plan for how best to resolve the current campaign in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
It was announced last Friday the Premier League will be suspended until the first weekend of April, although it’s widely expected that date will be pushed back significantly as the crisis deepens across the country.
Already, though, there have been signs of opportunism amid the confusion.
Karren Brady, vice-chairman of struggling, relegation-threatened West Ham United, was roundly accused of blatant self -interest earlier this week when declaring the season should be declared null and void.
Few other clubs have gone public with their preference, mostly instead keeping a watching brief.
However, everything points to the Premier League agreeing on one clear directive on Thursday – finish the current season.
UEFA took steps to help domestic competitions play out to a conclusion by on Tuesday postponing Euro for a year and setting a soft deadline of June for any remaining league games to be played, with the Copa America also put back months and FIFA on Wednesday commit to reorganising the international calendar.
And EFL cl ubs, in their own meeting on Wednesday, left no doubt over their desire to play their remaining matches – not least in the Championship from which three clubs will be promoted to the Premier League.
Read More )
Must-read Liverpool FC news
“The primary objective, in order to protect competition integrity, is to deliver a successful conclusion to the / season, subject to the over-riding priority around health and well-being, ”said a statement.
“ Plans continue to be developed on the agreed principle that it is in the best interests of the EFL and Clubs to complete the current season at the appropriate time.
“The EFL is continuing regular dialogue with the Government and relevant health authorities and, as and when more information is known regarding the scale and extent of the coronavirus outbreak in this country, a decision will be taken on the resumption of the League’s fixtures. ”
Then there is the question of finance. Reports have suggested Sky Sports and BT Sport could fine Premier League clubs up to £ 750 million for breach of contract if the season is not finished.
And cancelling the season could see legal action against the Premier League, not least from the likes of Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion who are on course for promotion to the top flight, and potentially clubs such as Leicester City, currently in a strong Champions League qualification berth.
Liverpool would be among the other big losers if the campaign is cancelled given they stand points clear at the top of the table and require only six points from their final nine games to claim a first title since )
An agreement to conclude the season and play the remaining 615 Premier League matches seems therefore almost certain.
That, though, is when the questions really start. With a country-wide lockdown moving ever closer, even order to playing behind closed doors from the middle of May is fraught with potential difficulties, the health and safety of those involved paramount.
Liverpool fans seeking definitive answers will almost inevitably be left waiting.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings