‘Liverpool furlough U-turn would not happen elsewhere - other clubs don't care about fans', says John Barnes

John Barnes says Liverpool deserve “respect” for their furlough U-turn, insisting it would not happen elsewhere because “most clubs wouldn’t care what the fans say”.

The Reds have backed down on plans to take advantage of the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme after widespread criticism of the Premier League leaders, who turned a £42million profit last year, using public money to pay their staff during the pandemic.

While other former players such as Jamie Carragher and Stan Collymore voiced their anger, Barnes had initially defended the club, insisting they were “within their rights” to use the scheme.

That is the view also taken by several other Premier League clubs, including Tottenham, who are still furloughing some non-playing staff despite mounting pressure, and Barnes believes Liverpool’s situation is unique.

“The decision for Liverpool to do this is because the club came under real pressure from the fans,” he told bonuscodebets.co.uk. “You have to understand Liverpool as a city in a cultural aspect, compared to London.

“It is so different. I don’t imagine other clubs will do this.

“Other club’s fans wouldn’t put the owners and board under pressure like you would see Liverpool fans do so.

“Liverpool is a socialist city, the fans let it be known if there is something that they don’t want their club to follow in. You have to respect Liverpool listening to the fans, most clubs wouldn’t care what the fans say at all.”