Klopp hails Reds’ fans who stay at home
Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool supporters to prove themselves the best “stayat-home fans in the world” after English police said they wanted any potential Premier League title-clincher played at a neutral venue.
Premier League chiefs have set June 17 as the date for the top flight to restart following the coronavirus delay. They hope to play the majority of matches behind closed doors on a home-and-away basis as usual.
However, police are concerned hardcore fans may congregate and flout social distancing rules outside the stadiums. Police want several fixtures, including Manchester City and Manchester United games not involving Liverpool, played at neutral venues. Liverpool are two wins away from sealing their first English title for 30 years.
They could be crowned champions as early as the first weekend of the restart if Manchester City lose to Arsenal and they beat Everton in a Merseyside derby.
“I heard a few days ago a really good phrase about how we have the best home fans in the world, so we should maybe now say the best stayat-home fans in the world,” Klopp said.
“Now we are really desperate to play because we want to become champions on the pitch and it looks like we can do that wherever it will be,” the manager said. “We hope it will be at Anfield but we don’t know, and that’s not important.
“Most of the people on this planet have never had a chance in the life to become champion of the Premier League ... so we take it.
“However, there will be a moment in our life when we have time and the opportunity and it’s allowed again to celebrate together.”
Klopp insisted winning the title in an empty stadium would still be an “absolutely exceptional day in my life”.
Police said they had reached a consensus with the Premier League that “balances the needs of football, while also minimising the demand on policing,” said Mark Roberts, the deputy chief constable of South Yorkshire Police. “The majority of matches will be played as scheduled, with a small number of fixtures taking place at neutral venues, which have yet to be agreed, contrary to some reports.”