Liverpool could be denied the chance to win the title at Anfield as authorities outline plans for ‘high-risk’ games take place at neutral venues to prevent fans from gathering.
Police have set out the Premier League matches they would like to be played at neutral venues, which would include any Liverpool game where the title could be won.
The matches which have been requested to take place at neutral grounds are Manchester City v Liverpool, Manchester City v Newcastle, Manchester United v Sheffield United, Newcastle v Liverpool and Everton v Liverpool.
Premier League fixtures will resume on June 17, it was confirmed on Thursday, and the aim is to complete the remaining 92 fixtures by July 25 or 26.
New staggered kick-off times will be used for the remaining matches, which will take place every day, and no fans will be allowed in or around the stadium.
The Times reported earlier that there is already an agreement for any Liverpool home game in which they could seal the title – and the matches away to Everton and Man City – to be played at neutral venues.
However, deputy chief constable Mark Roberts of South Yorkshire Police says while the request has been made, there is no agreement in place regarding neutral venues as of yet.
A statement read: “The majority of remaining matches will be played at home and away as scheduled, with a small number of fixtures taking place at neutral venues, which, contrary to some reports, have yet to be agreed.
“The views and agreement of forces which host Premier League clubs have been sought and where there were concerns, the Premier League has been supportive in providing flexibility in arranging alternative venues where requested.
“This plan will be kept continually under review to ensure public health and safety and a key part of this is for supporters to continue to respect the social distancing guidelines, and not to attend or gather outside the stadiums.”
Meanwhile, the Premier League said in a statement: “The Premier League’s ambition is to complete all of our remaining fixtures this season home and away, where possible.
“We are working with our clubs to ensure risks are assessed and minimised, while co-operating with the police at a local and national level.
“Discussions with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and UK Football Policing Unit have been positive and are continuing. We are prepared for all outcomes and have a neutral venue contingency.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has also expressed fears about football fans breaking lockdown rules in the capital, highlighting the upcoming north London derby as a potential risk.
He told LBC: “I know, human nature as it is, fans will turn up to see the coach arriving, to listen to the atmosphere – the players inside the stadium even though they’re not allowed in, to see the coach leaving, to buy t-shirts and scarves, police and councils need to enforce the rules.
“The overwhelming measures to social distancing are still there, the overwhelming measures to lockdown are still there. The key thing has got to be what is safe.
“We can’t have fans congregating around the stadiums. We don’t want Premier League clubs in London to have fans congregating… we’ve got Tottenham vs Arsenal coming up. It’s really important clubs work with police and others to make sure we get this right.”
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