Liverpool appear set to be the 2019-20 champions whether the campaign is finished or not after Uefa ruled out the Premier League season being declared ‘void’.

In a statement European football’s governing body insisted the domestic campaigns would be settled on “sporting merit” meaning the results so far will help decide the final placings.

The Uefa decision is likely to mean the Champions League places will be concluded on a points-per-game basis if the remaining matches cannot be played.

Alternatively the Premier League could explore a play-off or mini-tournament format to decide who qualifies for European competition. However this is not believed to be favoured by the clubs who regard points-per-game as the fairest method. Even if it did happen Liverpool, given their commanding lead, could expect to be spared that process. They have 82 points and are 37 points ahead of fifth-place Manchester United with just nine games to go.

If the season is curtailed – and Uefa insisted that its strong recommendation was to try and finish the campaign if possible in the major European leagues – and a points-per-game formula is adopted then Liverpool, Manchester City, Leicester City and Chelsea would qualify for the Champions League.

However, as things stand, City are banned from European competition for the next two seasons due to financial fair play breaches meaning United would take their place.