Klopp feared pandemic would cost Reds title

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said there was a moment when he feared the club would be denied the chance to win their first league title in 30 years because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Reds hold a 22-point lead over Manchester City and need just two more wins to guarantee a longawaited maiden Premier League triumph and a first championship since 1990.

“I didn’t think when we went to lockdown ‘Oh my god, that is our season, we are so close’, because it was not important in that moment,” Klopp said.

“I became worried in the moment when people started talking about ‘null and void’ this season because I was like ‘wow’. I really felt it physically. That would have been really, really hard.”

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is grateful tomorrow’s Merseyside derby will be played at Goodison Park even if the lack of fans might rob Everton of any home advantage.

Confirmation of the venue only came last week after fears that fans could breach social distancing regulations to congregate around the stadium.

Ancelotti said: “I am pleased it is at Goodison but not pleased we will play without supporters.”

Everton will be without several big names for the Merseyside derby with Yerry Mina and Fabian Delph joining JeanPhilippe Gbamin and Theo Walcott on the sidelines.

Jurgen Klopp has not ruled out Mohamed Salah or Andy Robertson despite neither playing in a behindclosed-doors friendly last week.