Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher criticises club for placing non-playing staff on furlough amid coronavirus crisis

League leaders are facing criticism for utilising decision after making a pre-tax profit of £42 million

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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has taken to Twitter to criticise the club’s decision to place non-playing staff on furlough amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Liverpool 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 that affected employees can receive their full payment.

Club legend Carragher was unhappy with the move, however, writing on Twitter: ”Jurgen Klopp showed compassion for all at the start of this pandemic, senior players heavily involved in Premier League players taking wage cuts.

“Then all that respect & goodwill is lost, poor this @LFC.”

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.

The Premier League announced on Friday that the campaign would be suspended indefinitely, and it proposed 30 per cent wage cuts for players.

Clubs agreed to the cuts, but must now consult with footballers on the matter.

As such, Liverpool are locked in discussions with their 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.

Club captain Jordan Henderson, meanwhile, has been co-ordinating with his counterparts at other Premier League teams to organise a coronavirus crisis fund for the NHS that will run into millions of pounds.