Liverpool's 22 point lead over Manchester City could all be for nothing if the Coronavirus leads to the Premier League season being shortened.
The Reds have looked well on target for their first league title in 30 years for most of the season and remain unbeaten in almost a year.
However that could all count for nothing if Coronavirus were to hit the Premier League. A report in the Telegraph says that Jurgen Klopp's side would not 'be guaranteed' to win the title if the season ended early because of the outbreak.
There is no specific regulation to what happens if a 38 game season is cut short and not all clubs can fulfill all their fixtures but it could also mean the bottom three not being relegated.
With the virus spreading across Europe in recent days it has led to the postponement, cancellation or playing behind closed doors of different sporting events.
The Six Nations fixture between Ireland and Italy has been called off, and Italy's fixture with England could also go the same way, Serie A games were postponed last weekend and this weekend several will be played with no crowd.
The recent increased spread on the continent could lead the UK government to 'opt to cancel sporting events for two months,' which would include at least part of the 11 games remaining in England's top tier.
Whilst the title race is already decided what would be more complicated is working out who qualifies for the Champions League and Europa League next season, as well as the relegation places.
Chelsea are in fourth currently but just three points ahead of fifth place Manchester United. Burnley and Everton are only seven points short in ninth and 10th.
The whole European qualification positions are further complicated by the fact that Manchester City have been suspended for two years from competing but are likely to appeal.
At the bottom things are just as tight, Norwich City are bottom on 18 points and seven points away from safety but above them it's pretty close.
There's only seven points between Watford in 19th and Newcastle United in 14th and the season ending early would make it impossible to sort it out.
It still feels like we're a long way off the season being cancelled because of Coronavirus but Liverpool fans will still be praying they don't need to find out what would happen if it was.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-liverpool-not-guaranteed-title-if-coronavirus-cuts-the-season-short-20200228
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