John Barnes insists Liverpool cannot be crowned champions before the entire Premier League season is completed – and says the campaign could end up finishing in February due to the coronavirus.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are a staggering 25 points clear of second-placed Manchester City with nine matches remaining, requiring just two more wins to secure their first domestic title in 30 years.
But Liverpool’s title celebrations have been put on hold while the country gets to grips with the coronavirus, which has infected more than 200,000 people worldwide and killed over 8,000.
All professional football in England has been suspended until at least April 4, with some suggesting the season could be cancelled altogether if the situation does not improve.
Liverpool hero Barnes admits his former club cannot be handed the title unless more fixtures are played but says the Premier League should consider restarting the season as late as October.
He told Sky Sports: ‘If you’re going to give Liverpool the title who will then get relegated and promoted?
‘You can’t just say, “Liverpool get the title because we’re so far ahead” because then what happens to Leeds, West Brom and Fulham? And what happens to the three teams at the bottom of the Premier League?
‘Obviously safety is the most important thing, but I think the best thing to do is to allow this season to take place, however long it takes.
‘There’s no need to rush back. Now that the Euros has been postponed, even if you play one game a week from October, then the season goes on to January or February.
‘Then you can have a proper pre-season and kick-start the new season at the right time rather than be playing catch-up for years.’
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MORE: UEFA president dismisses idea of handing Liverpool the Premier League title now
from Football – Metro https://ift.tt/2WoGwdq
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