DAYS TO GO Lovren’s lockdown lowpoint Home winner
TITLE TORMENT FOR KOP STAR
have no objection to the games being played at our home grounds – both the derby at Goodison and Liverpool’s matches at Anfield.
“We’re in a better place than we were four weeks ago and we’ve been able to convey why it’s so important nobody congregates outside or near grounds.
“Merseyside police have made it clear they support the derby going ahead and they are the ones responsible for policing outside the ground and maintaining social distancing.”
It is understood the area’s Chief Constable, Andy Cooke, has offered assurances to football bodies and to the council that it is safe to hold matches at Anfield and Goodison.
It is a major victory for the clubs who argued passionately that their fans are being demonised.
Everton have also signed a £10m-ayear deal with Cazoo.
The online car platform will be the club’s main shirt sponsor for the next three years, replacing betting firm Sportpesa.
DEJAN LOVREN has revealed the pain and uncertainty Liverpool’s players suffered as their season crashed into lockdown.
Lovren has lifted the lid on life at Anfield after it was announced the season would be suspended and their title pursuit put on hold. From being within touching distance of the Premier League trophy, to suddenly facing the prospect of the campaign being voided with no winners declared, the Croatia defender admitted it was tough.
“The last two weeks before we came back together, to be honest, I was struggling a little bit with not knowing when we will start and when we will be back together,” he said. “You put so many questions in your mind, ‘When will everything be back to normal?’ “This is a great challenge for yourself and to show to everyone that you care about yourself, you care about your team.” Lovren, though, says the Liverpool team passionately believed they would get the chance to win the title on the pitch, not in the committee room.
In an interview with the club’s website, he suggested the prospect of securing the two wins required, and lifting the trophy they have obsessed about for so long, has kept them focused and committed.
He said the squad had come back fitter than after summer breaks. “So we did it, and we did an amazing job,” he said. “We came back in great shape. We did some physical tests and I think it says a lot about the team. Everyone respected all the planning and programmes that we got. And this is what’s important for this team.”
With the Premier League restart confirmed for June 17, Liverpool can start to plan for their coronation as Champions.
And Lovren insisted the idea within the club is not simply to win the two games they need for the title but to prove their quality by winning all their remaining matches.
“We still have two games to win until we can say, ‘Yeah, we are the champions’ but our main focus is to win all the games. That’s the main target,” he said.
“Even without a date at the beginning, our main focus and goal was, ‘Guys, let’s finish the season. There will be a date back, but just stay in shape, be in shape when we come back. We will do it and then we can say well done.’ “That was our main focus from the beginning. All the time we have been working in the gym, we know what is our focus.”