Understood, well I found a workaround.
Log into the LibreELEC machine and type:
cryptpw
Then enter the password. It will output a crypt script.
Then edit the Shadow password file and substitute what was generated.
Code
LibreELEC:/etc # vi /etc/shadow
systemd-timesync:*:::::::
systemd-network:*:::::::
dbus:*:::::::
root:[the password generated]::::::
nobody:*:::::::
system:*:::::::
avahi:*:::::::
LibreELEC:~ #
Save it and then before you logout, try logging in again with SSH and the new password and it should work.
Sorry you received any abuse, appreciate the work you do.