Coronavirus: Liverpool place non-playing staff on furlough as talks continue over salary cuts

European champions join Newcastle, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Norwich in turning to the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

General view of Anfield (Reuters)

Liverpool have become the latest Premier League club to place non-playing staff unable to work during the Covid-19 pandemic on furlough, while discussions continue over salary deductions for the squad, backroom team and senior executives.

The champions of Europe have joined Newcastle, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Norwich in turning to the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which covers 80 per cent of usual wage costs, up to £2,500 a month.

Liverpool confirmed it would top up the rest so employees affected would receive their full payment.

The league leaders are facing criticism for utilising the scheme after making a pre-tax profit of £42 million and increasing turnover to £533m in 2018-19.

John Henry, the club’s principal owner, has a net worth upwards of £2 billion. The move has undercut most of the good work Liverpool have done during the crisis.

The club are, however, locked in discussions with the players, manager Jurgen Klopp, the rest of the coaching staff and senior executives over salary cuts.

The Independent understands the squad, backroom team and other high earners have been proactive in trying to find a solution that is helpful but also fair to those on lower incomes.

“Even prior to the decision on staff furloughing, there was a collective commitment at senior levels of the club – on and off the pitch – with everyone working towards a solution that secures jobs for employees of the club during this unprecedented crisis,” an official statement read.

“There is ongoing active engagement about the topic of salary deductions during the period matches are not being played to schedule.

“These discussions are complex and as a result the process is ongoing.”

On Friday, Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to consult their players regarding a combination of conditional reductions and deferrals amounting to 30 per cent of total annual remuneration.

That matter is being talked through during a conference call of the 20 captains, the PFA and the Premier League on Saturday as they aim to reach a consensus.

Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, meanwhile, has been co-ordinating with his counterparts to organise a coronavirus crisis fund for the NHS that will run into millions of pounds.