Mr Sutcliffe’s comments are a big boost for the campaign, first launched last summer by the Fair Pay network, which has argued that an hourly wage of £5.73 is poverty pay. It draws on research which found that £6.80 an hour is the absolute minimum for a single person to live decently on, rising to £7.45 an hour in London.

But many Premiership clubs contract out recruitment to firms who pay the £5.73 minimum wage. The staff are often serving in corporate hospitality areas which symbolise the “prawn sandwich” culture of wealth at the top clubs.

Last year, the campaign highlighted an advert for a kitchen porter to work – for the minimum wage – at Heathcotes at Anfield, which promises “fine dining” for up to 2,500 well-heeled supporters on match day.

But, since last summer, the Premiership clubs have been accused of paying little interest in the issue.

An alternative Premier League, based on the enthusiasm the clubs have shown for tackling low pay, places Everton in 10th place and Liverpool on the fringe of relegation, in 16th. The table is topped by Aston Villa, followed by West Ham United.