Reds face a Leip in the dark

BY CHRIS MCKENNA and DAVID MCDONNELL

LIVERPOOL could be forced to play their Champions League home match against RB Leipzig at a neutral venue as Covid uncertainty continues to play havoc with European fixtures.

Jurgen Klopp’s (above) side are already facing the Bundesliga side in Budapest rather than Germany in the first leg of the last-16 tie next week.

That is because of strict quarantine rules the German government has imposed on travel from the UK following the emergence of new coronavirus variants.

But now the second leg on March 10 could also be switched.

That is because the German government currently would require Leipzig players and staff to selfisolate for 10 days on their return from Merseyside.

The rules are set to be reviewed on March 5 and a relaxation would allow the tie to continue as planned at Anfield.

But Liverpool are already seeking alternatives to ensure they are ready to switch the game to a neutral venue if necessary.

Manchester City have also seen their first-leg clash with Borussia Monchengladbach moved to Budapest.

And City could also be looking for a neutral venue for their home tie on March 16 if the German authorities are unwilling to relax their rules.

Meanwhile Mo Salah (above) has appealed for his Liverpool teammates to show even greater unity after the slump in form that has all but blown their title defence.

Despite scoring 22 goals in just 32 appearances in all competitions this season, the Egyptian star says that personal glory means nothing, compared with the Reds’ struggles.

He said: “So we just need to carry on and I’m trying always to score goals to help the team. We just need to stick together and carry on, win games and stay with each other.”

QUADRUPLE-CHASING Manchester City face a tricky FA Cup quarter-final tie at Everton.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men stand in Pep Guardiola’s way as the City boss targets a domestic clean sweep of honours this season. The Premier League leaders, who are already in the