Liverpool have held initial talks with their players over wage deferrals, though negotiations are currently ‘on hold’ until the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic have become clear.
Premier League sides are currently considering their financial options amid the current global pandemic, football’s suspension having led to a lack of revenue with cuts and deferrals being considered at present.
Liverpool were one of five top-flight sides to announce an intention to place some non-playing staff on the government’s job retention scheme, though an angry backlash from supporters quickly saw the Anfield side perform a U-turn, which was eventually followed by Tottenham and Bournemouth who also changed their mind on furloughing their staff.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool’s players have now held two video-conference meetings with the club’s hierarchy regarding potential wage deferrals, the news coming after chief executive Peter Moore warned the Reds must ‘prepare for a range of different scenarios’, some of which involve a ‘massive downturn in revenue, with correspondingly unprecedented operating losses’.
The meeting is believed to have included a presentation detailing the club’s predicted financial losses should the Premier League season be unable to be completed, with no decision yet made on whether the campaign can be resumed safely.
The discussions have been described as ‘tentative’ at present with no demands made, both parties prepared to wait until the financial implications before clearer before coming to an agreement.
Red captain Jordan Henderson has already played a hugely influential role in instigating the #PlayersTogether scheme, a whole host of footballers choosing to donate a hefty chunk of their wages to support the NHS through the COVID-19 crisis.
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