In response, Taylor issued a statement on behalf of Premier League players saying any agreement would take “a bit more time”. He criticised the Health Secretary Matt Hancock for failing to take note of what a on paycut would mean for tax yields. Taylor also told the Premier League that its £125 million advance to the Football League and £20 million donation to the NHS announced on Friday were inadequate.

The Premier League, meanwhile, are determined to press on with direct negotiations with the players, with or without the support of Taylor and the PFA. They told the players that if they accepted the paycut, clubs would “restore normal remuneration levels when health and financial conditions permit”. The cuts would be “smoothed”, the league said, over a 12-month period.

Under the terms proposed for the 30 per cent proposed wage cut, two-thirds would be repaid if the remaining games were played behind closed doors and there was no rebate penalty to broadcasters. The players would be paid in full if all remaining games this season could be staged in full stadiums and no money was returned to broadcasters.

Under the principles of the negotiation established by the Premier League the clubs listed “protecting player and staff employment and terms, wherever possible”; “supporting low-paid personnel”; “maintaining the viability of clubs by managing costs”; “preserving academy structures” and completing the current season.

In a long statement on Saturday evening, Taylor said that his members “care deeply for those who are suffering with loss, health and hardship at the moment”. He said a 30 per cent cut would cost the public purse “substantial sums”. “What effect does this loss of earning to the government mean for the NHS?” Taylor asked. “Was this considered in the Premier League proposal and did the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, factor this in when asking players to take a salary cut?”

Taylor said that by agreeing to discuss the paycut, the Premier League players wanted to support their own clubs, and non-playing staff to receive 100 per cent of their wages, as well as EFL clubs and those in non-league, and the NHS.

The talks came on the same day that Liverpool announced the furloughing of staff under the government coronavirus job retention scheme, a move which attracted criticism of the club, including from former players. Unlike Tottenham Hotspur who announced similar measures on Tuesday, Liverpool have not imposed any paycuts on staff, making up the 20 per cent shortfall from their own resources.

Liverpool said they had “placed some staff who are impacted by the Premier League suspension on furlough”. The club had already pledged to pay matchday staff while the league is suspended. They said that they sought “a solution that secures jobs for employees of the club during this unprecedented crisis”.

The club did not specify it was in negotiations to cut player wages but added: “There is ongoing active engagement about the topic of salary deductions during the period matches are not being played to schedule. These discussions are complex and as a result the process is ongoing.”

The former Liverpool defender turned Telegraph columnist and Sky Sports pundit, Carragher tweeted that this was "poor" from Liverpool.