Uefa chief Ceferin: Liverpool will win Premier League title ‘one way or another’

Football may be on total lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, but there’s “no way” Liverpool will be denied the chance of being crowned Premier League champions.

That’s the opinion of Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin when asked about how the English top-flight will be decided.

Before the season was suspended because of the virus, Liverpool were 25 points clear at the top of the table with eight games still to be played. Jurgen Klopp’s side need just two more victories to secure the title for the first time in 30 years.

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In an interview with Slovenian sports newspaper Ekipa, Ceferin said: “I see no way for Liverpool to stay untitled. If the championship resumes, they will almost certainly win it - theoretically, it has not yet reached the guaranteed level, but it is practically close.

“However, if it could not be played, it would also be necessary to announce the results in some way and find some key on how the champions should be determined. And, of course, again I do not see a scenario in which that would not be Liverpool.

“I understand that fans will be disappointed if it happens in an empty stadium or even at the green table, but I believe they will win the title one way or another.”

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Return when it’s safe

Last week it was announced that professional football in England remains suspended and the EPL season would only resume when it is safe to do so.

A statement said: “It was acknowledged that the Premier League will not resume at the beginning of May - and that the 2019/20 season will only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

“The restart date is under constant review with all stakeholders, as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic develops and we work together through this very challenging time.

“The Premier League is working closely with the whole of professional football in this country, as well as with the government, public agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the game achieves a collaborative solution.

“With this, there is a combined objective for all remaining domestic league and cup matches to be played, enabling us to maintain the integrity of each competition. However, any return to play will only be with the full support of the government and when medical guidance allows.”

Shaw: season should be cancelled

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw believes that the season should be declared null and void.

The England international said: “Scrap it and start again. Start it again, yeah. It’s got to be, you know. If we can’t carry it on, it’s got to be void.”

Former United centre-half Rio Ferdinand also thinks the season should be cancelled. He said recently: “I know there’s going to be a lot of Liverpool fans going: ‘oh, Rio, just because you used to play for Man United’.

“I just don’t see a way that can be done where health isn’t compromised. Simple as that. All this behind closed doors business - you’re still going to have players there, are the players not part of society?

“This is about life and death situations, about society in the wider grand scheme of things. Football it ain’t that serious in that sense.

“Listen, we all love it but it ain’t life or death, when it comes to matters like this, you’ve got to put people’s health before anything.”

Today’s back pages

Red-faced Liverpool make furlough U-turn

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