Ex-England Midfielder Barnes: "You can't just give Liverpool the title because we are so far ahead."

Despite the advantage Liverpool have, Barnes insists the 2019-20 campaign must be completed.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds lead Manchester City by 25 points with nine matches left to play. [Getty]

Jurgen Klopp's Reds should not be handed the Premier League title amid the coronavirus pandemic, says Liverpool legend John Barnes.

Just before the coronavirus outbreak, Liverpool were on the verge of landing their first championship since 1990 as they lead Manchester City by 25 points with nine matches left to play.

And, Barnes, who was part of the Reds that won the league in 1988 and 1990, believes the season must be completed if Liverpool are to be crowned Premier League champions.

"If you are going to give Liverpool the title, then who would get promoted and relegated?" Barnes told Sky Sports.

Sir Kenny Dalglish: The Premier League campaign has to be completed.

"You can't just give Liverpool the title because we are so far ahead.

"What would Leeds and West Brom say? What would Fulham say if they don't come up and you promote those two? Do the bottom three in the Premier League not get relegated?"

Barnes backed UEFA's stance on postponing Euro 2020 for a year, saying they made the right call on Tuesday.

Write off future season to finish the 2019/20 Premier League season, says John Barnes. [Getty]

"Safety is the most important thing so allow this season to take as long as it does, there's no need to rush back as you are delaying the Euros to 2021," added the former England international.

"If you have to play one game a week from October, and mean the season goes on until next January or February, then you can kick-start the next season at the right time rather than play catch-up for years.

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"It's a sensible decision with [the Euros] and I think delaying for a year was the only solution.

"Leagues have to be finished, not just from Liverpool's point of view or any other club in any country. It's obviously bigger than that, you are talking about promotion and relegation all the way down the divisions.

"So I think if the leagues can even be delayed - you don't have to rush back to them - maybe you have to write off a season. We don't know what's going to happen on April 3, maybe they delay it further.

"Even if we have to start in July or August, what we have to do is finish these games even if it takes up until December, which writes off the [next] season.

"These are desperate times and this is an unusual circumstance."

A one-time colleague of Klopp has described him as "crazy" and "egocentric".