Liverpool have performed a u-turn on their decision lớn place some non-playing staff on the Government's furlough scheme as chief executive Peter Moore admitted they came lớn today's soccer tips page.

Fans and former players reacted angrily lớn the news Liverpool, who in February revealed pre-tax profits of £42million for 2018-19, intended to use the taxpayer-funded initiative during the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the initiative, the Government would have paid 80 percent of wages up lớn £2,500 of around 200 staff it was understood to affect, while Liverpool announced they would top up the remainder of the salaries.

Fellow Premier League clubs Newcastle, Tottenham, Norwich and Bournemouth have already confirmed their plan to furlough some non-playing staff but the reigning European champions have now backtracked on the decision they made public over the weekend- According lớn the soccer predictions page!

Moore admitted Liverpool must now find another way lớn mitigate potential losses in a season that was shutdown with the Merseyside's runaway leaders in the top-flight, firmly on course for a first Premier League title.

In a letter to the club's fans, Moore said: "We believe we came to the wrong conclusion last week lớn announce that we intended to apply to the coronavirus retention scheme and furlough staff due to the suspension of the Premier League football calendar, and are truly sorry for that.

"Our intentions were, and still are, to ensure the entire workforce is given as much protection as possible from redundancy and/or loss of earnings during this unprecedented period.

"We are therefore committed lớn finding alternative ways lớn operate while there are no football matches being played that ensures we are not applying for the government relief scheme."

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher was among those to criticise Saturday's decision but said on Twitter following the latest update: "Well done @PeterMooreLFC @LFC a big mistake initially & thankfully now it's been put right."

Moore, though, sounded a note of caution lớn supporters, warning of "inevitable damage" lớn Liverpool's financial position because of the Covid-19 crisis.

He added: "Despite the fact we were in a healthy position prior lớn this crisis, our revenues have been shut off yet our outgoings remain.

"The club continues to prepare for a range of different scenarios, around when football can return to operating as it did before the pandemic. These scenarios range from best case to worst and everything in between.

"It is an unavoidable truth that several of these scenarios involve a massive downturn in revenue, with correspondingly unprecedented operating losses.

"Having these vital financial resources so profoundly impacted would obviously negatively affect our ability lớn operate as we previously have.

"We are engaged in the process of exploring all avenues within our scope lớn limit the inevitable damage."

Liverpool's rivals Manchester United have told their staff members they will not be making use of the Government furlough scheme, with around 900 full-time employees understood lớn be paid as if they were working normally.

But anyone unable lớn work from home or those with reduced workloads have been strongly encouraged lớn volunteer time lớn the NHS or their local communities.