Liverpool F.C. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – Coronavirus Special
It takes a call from the leagues best, to rally round for the NHS. The Reds backtrack on a bad idea, seeking cash that’s already there. It would be unthinkable if all this, made the season an answer in a pub quiz. Respects are paid to the 96. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, a Coronavirus special at the world’s favourite football club, Liverpool F.C.
The Good
When we talk about a global Pandemic, there isn’t much good that comes to mind. And football in these times really does take a back seat when wet need to consider the health, wellbeing and in many cases, lives of the worlds most vulnerable.
However, the fact that football can contribute to the greater good is to be applauded. Not simply because they #stayhome, but because many of the notable, lead by Liverpool F.C.’s captain Jordan Henderson, put their money where their mouths are and contributed to the most worthy of causes in the UK. The National Health Service (NHS).
Regardless of the political or moral question of why people – be they footballers or not, should take what many consider to be the government’s responsibility. The club captain has contacted other Premier League skippers last week to ask them to set up a fund to support the ailing British health institution.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man!
Jordan Henderson setting up Premier League coronavirus fund for NHS https://t.co/dOTlbbMYTG
— mason (@mason849) April 15, 2020
The Bad
The decision by the club to make use of the government’s furlough scheme in order to recover lost salaries due the current Coronavirus outbreak. This of course met with outrage from supporters as well as former players.
Club legend Jamie Carragher was particularly vocal in his criticism of the club’s decision, saying the club had “…all this respect and goodwill is lost…” referring to previous positive efforts shown by Jürgen Klopp and his team. Former striker Stan Collymore simply described it as “just plain fucking wrong”
“We believe we came to the wrong conclusion last week and are truly sorry for that.”
To the club’s credit, the decision was reversed as communicated by club CEO Peter Moore. “We believe we came to the wrong conclusion last week and are truly sorry for that“. And so they should be.
An organisation with the resources of Liverpool Football Club should not require government assistance to cover wages that can easily be covered by a fraction of the salaries from the leading players at the club.
⚽️How Liverpool came to reverse their furlough decision after angry backlash and why they went down that route initially
⚽️ The involvement of local MPs and fans' groups
⚽️ Senior club executives have already voluntarily taken a 25% pay cut #LFC https://t.co/c0t3ItQQsU— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) April 7, 2020
The Ugly
The continual uncertainty about the finalisation of this season’s Premier League competition. Among the possible solutions there has been talk of abandoning the whole season or crowning Liverpool champions and cancelling the relegations – and promotions I presume.
The later being somewhat daft I have to say. Good luck explaining that to Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion who are currently atop the Championship.
However, the most reasonable is that the remaining fixtures be concluded by July 01st. For me this makes the most sense. I believe the remaining nine matches of the season should be able to be played before then – even allowing for nothing happening during May. Liverpool need only two more wins to take the title so that at least, would be resolved.
I’d go even further and say the matches could be finalised at the end of July. The players have had a break, albeit enforced, but a break it is nonetheless. They should be able to start the new season almost immediately, at the beginning of August and have a mid-season break to compensate. The only issue could be contracts that start at 01st July. Nothing some goodwill couldn’t resolve.
We still have time. Not a great situation to be in but certainly not an insurmountable one at this time. At least it’ll make a good Pub Quiz question: which team won the league title, in the season it wasn’t finished?
By far the worst solution I have heard for resolving the football season is to end things as they are, but with no relegation from the Premier League and two up from the Championship. It’s the most cowardly, capitalist-friendly option, so will probably happen, but it stinks
— Scott Johnson (@roathboy) March 15, 2020
96
The 15th April marked the 31st anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. That day 96 Liverpool supporters lost their lives supporting the club they loved. Rest in Peace all… You’ll Never Walk Alone.
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