Liverpool blasted over virus furlough, players in $200m wage cut warning

Liverpool were accused of betraying ir "morals and values" for ir move to furlough n-playing staff during coronavirus pandemic as Premier League stars warned of a USD 200 million ( 245 million) shortfall in government coffers if 30 percent w cuts were introduced.

Premier League leaders Liverpool said y would top up public money made available from government to ensure staff on temporary leave received ir full salaries.

It follows similar moves by Newcastle, Tottenham, Bournemouth and rwich to take advant of scheme, under which employers can claim for 80 percent of furloughed employees' ws.

But former Reds players Jamie Carragher and Stan Collymore strongly criticised move by European champions, who in February anunced pre-tax profits of USD 42 million ( 51 million) for 2018/19.

"(Manr) Jurgen Klopp showed compassion for all at start of this pandemic, senior players heavily involved in @premierleague players taking w cuts. n all that respect & goodwill is lost, poor this @LFC," tweeted Carragher.

Collymore was even more forthright, tweeting: "I don't kw of any Liverpool fan of any standing that won't be anything or than disgusted at club for furloughing staff."

Ar former Anfield star, Germany's Dietmar Hamann tweeted: "Astonished by news that @LFC takes advant of furlough scheme to claim 80% of n-playing staff ws back off government.

"That's t what scheme was designed for. Contrary to morals and values of club I got to kw." Liverpool said staff would be paid 100 percent of ir salaries to ensure body was financially disadvantd.

A statement from club said: "Even prior to decision on staff furloughing, re was a collective commitment at senior levels of club -- on and off pitch -- with everyone working towards a solution that secures jobs for employees of club during this unprecedented crisis."

Meanwhile, Professional Footballers' Association warned of a USD 200 million shortfall in British government tax revenues if a 30% pay cut was introduced for players.

"All Premier League players want to, and will, play ir part in making significant financial contributions in se unprecedented times," said a PFA statement after a meeting with Premier League.

"We welcomed opportunity to discuss this and we are happy to continue talks." However, PFA insisted it was too simplistic to criticise multi-millionaire players for t easily agreeing to salary cuts.

" proposed 30 percent salary deduction over a 12-month period equates to over USD 500m in w reductions and a loss in tax contributions of over USD 200m to government," PFA statement added.

"What effect does this loss of earning to government mean for National Health Service?"

Premier League has been seen as lagging behind or European leagues in its response to coronavirus and was accused by one British lawmaker of operating in a "moral vacuum".

In Spain, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have already agreed to pay cuts of 70% while stars of Italian champions Juventus will be paid a reduced amount for next four months.

England defender Danny Rose, on loan at Newcastle from Tottenham, told BBC players were "keen to make something happen".

"I can only speak for myself but I would have problems whatsoever contributing some of my ws to people who are fighting this on front line and to people who have been affected by what's happening at minute," he said.

On Friday, a hospital in London identified Rose as individual behind a USD 19,000 donation.

Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson has led talks between Premier League club captains over what action y could take, a move that began before Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Thursday joined those singling out footballers.

"It was just t needed for people who are t involved in football to tell footballers what y should do with ir money," added Rose.

"I found that so bizarre."

Burnley issued a stark warning on Saturday about potential financial fallout from coronavirus outbreak, claiming y would face a shortfall of up to USD 50 million ( 61 million) if it were t possible to complete season.

English top-flight said on Friday 2019/20 season would only return when it was "safe and appropriate to do so".

league agreed to provide a USD 125 million fund for English Football League and National League and pledged USD 20 million in charitable support for National Health Service and or groups.

Im credit: AP