Liverpool will not endanger players: Klopp
LONDON (AFP) — Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he will not put his players at risk or force them back into action against their will as the Premier League leaders returned to training in small groups on Wednesday.
Klopp’s side were just two victories away from ending a 30-year wait to win the title when the English topflight was shutdown more than two months ago due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Six positive cases of COVID-19 were detected in the Premier League’s first round of 748 tests of players and staff ahead of a return to socially distanced training this week.
Klopp reiterated his priority is the health of those involved, but believes it is now safe for players to return to phase one of training.
“We would never put anybody in danger to do what we want to do. Yes, we love football, yes, it’s our job, but it’s not more important than our lives or the lives of other people,” Klopp told Sky Sports.
“In this case if you don’t feel safe, you don’t have to be here.”
Germany’s Bundesliga resumed its season behind closed doors last weekend, becoming the first major league to do so.
The Premier League’s target of restarting on June 12 has been called into question by players’ concerns for their welfare, both from the threat of the virus and injuries, with little preparation time after such a long layoff.
And Klopp would welcome a start date to work towards as soon as possible.
“None of us know when we will start. The earlier they can tell us, the better it is, of course,” he added.
“We can’t start today and then start playing tomorrow. That doesn’t work. We need time to get match fit and that’s what we are doing at the moment.”
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is also heartened that just 0.8 percent of the tests carried out by the Premier League resulted in positive cases and is confident his players can make a quick return to action.
“They weren’t off to Dubai or Vegas eating and drinking whatever they want,” said Wilder, whose side are in contention to qualify for European competition for the first time in their history.
“They’ve got a professionalism about them and my players are in absolutely brilliant condition.”
‘Lab rats’
However, some players remain unconvinced.
Newcastle and England defender Danny Rose argued players are being treated like “guinea pigs or lab rats.”
Watford captain Troy Deeney has said he will not return to training this week over fears he could pass the virus onto his five-month-old son, with three of the six positive cases in the Premier League registered at the club.
Deeney’s teammate Adrian Mariappa confirmed he had tested positive, with the bemused defender telling the Daily Telegraph: “It was a big surprise because I haven’t really left the house, apart from some exercise and the odd walk with the kids.”
Nevertheless, the British government’s Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden was optimistic players could move to the next stage of training.
“I hope, subject to the sign-off by Public Health England and others, we will then later this week, very shortly, get the guidance about how we can have training in a contact environment,” he said.