Liverpool might be the hardest hit if the entire competition is declared stopped without champions because of the corona virus pandemic (covid-19). That possibility is not fair to the Reds.
Because, only Liverpool’s position is closest to the ‘finish line’ compared to the prospective champions in other leagues.
The distance between Jurgen Klopp’s squad in the top position with second place, Manchester City, up to 25 points. The difference is the biggest among the top five leagues in Europe.
There is no club in the top five European leagues that equates Liverpool in terms of the difference in points at the top of the table this season. Paris Saint Germain (PSG) is still star-studded, only 12 points away from second place, Olympique Marseille.
In the German League, Bayern Munich at the top is only four points away from Borussia Dortmund in second place.
Similarly, in the Spanish League, the difference is thinner. Barcelona, who are top, are only two points apart from Real Madrid. In Italy even just one point away between Juventus and Lazio in second place.
Previously, the discourse on stopping the leagues in Europe came back. This idea was put forward by FIFA’s Chief Medical Officer, Michel D’Hooghe.
He considered it impossible if operators forced to continue the competition in the midst of the Covid-19th pandemic.
D’Hooghe has learned of plans in several countries to continue the competition this season. Thus, competition will continue amid the corona virus pandemic.
Top European competitions such as Britain, Spain and Germany plan to continue competition this season. Some teams in Germany and England have even returned to training by following social distancing instructions.
He asked league operators in each country to prioritize safety rather than mere economic considerations.
“I would feel happy, in an easy way, to start the next season and not hold anything before the start of the new season,” D’Hooghe was quoted as saying by The World Game.
“If they can start the 2020/2021 season at the end of August or early September I will be happy. They can avoid the second virus attack [covid-19], which is not impossible. Everyone must be very careful for now.”
To that end, D’Hooghe suggested that all leagues especially in Europe cancel their competition because of an emergency situation. He also suggested that the new competition could begin at least in September.
Top-ranked clubs such as Juventus, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG may not be too disappointed if the league is stopped without a winner. However, Liverpool will be hardest hit.
The reason is, they are a little bit more embraced the English League title. If you see the distance points between the Reds with Man City, Liverpool only need two more wins to win.
If there were no co-19 pandemic, Jordan Henderson and his friends might have won the title on March 22. That is if they succeed in defeating Everton and Crystal Palace.
The Reds became the most dominant club among the rulers in the five other top European leagues this season. When big clubs had a hard time, Liverpool immediately step on the gas at the beginning of this season.
When big clubs experience ups and downs, the Reds are the most consistent mid-season. Man City, who won the Premier League title twice in a row, were exhausted from chasing Liverpool to the forefront.
Clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United even seemed to be like a dream club before the Reds.
In the aspect of the game, of course no one can stem the steps of the Reds to become champions this season.
However, the corona virus pandemic catastrophe made everything turn 180 degrees. All stopped only because of the ‘invisible creature’.
Again, Liverpool will be hardest hit. Not just one step closer to finishing, it has been 30 years they have not felt the champion since 1989/1990.
Of course the cessation of competition without the determination of champions feels unfair especially for the Reds.
Follow the Belgian League
Especially for the English League, they could have followed the steps like in the Belgian League. The competition was stopped there by setting the top standings, Clube Brugge, as champions.
It was also agreed that there was no degradation system at the main level. Instead, the top two teams in the second caste are automatically promoted to the first division. With that decision, the Belgian League’s top caste competition will increase from 16 to 18 teams for next season.
If the English Premier League follows in the footsteps of the Belgian League, there is no relegation team and there are only three promotion teams. That is if the choice set Liverpool as the top of the standings to become champions.
This decision is a profitable solution for more clubs. But there are still consequences. The number of contestants has increased from 20 to 23 teams next season.
The competition will also increase and become increasingly unreasonable to run. Previously, clubs had difficulty running competitions with 20 teams due to busy schedules at other domestic tournaments.
The solution is certainly in the English Football Association (FA) to make the right decision. For example, by making the competition next season a transitional season with an additional 23 teams and six relegation teams.
To reduce the density of match schedules, one tournament such as the League Cup or FA Cup could be temporarily frozen next season.
