Football during Covid times has been a vastly different experience, it’s fair to say, with fans forced to watch from home for the majority of the past 12 months.
But the main noticeable difference has been the games played behind closed doors, which has actually led to some very interesting moments being picked up.
Without crowd noise, shouts from the pitch and the sidelines have become audible, as if Premier League matches were being played on a training ground.
And there have been some almost iconic exchanges between players, managers and officials which potentially would otherwise not have been caught.
So here are the five best empty stadium rants from the Premier League over the past year or so.
1. Matt Ritchie lets rip at linesman
Newcastle winger Matt Ritchie clearly did not agree with a certain decision from the linesman during his side’s clash with Brighton back in July last year.
The referee was instructed to give a foul against Ritchie for a foul on Tariq Lamptey during their goalless draw on south coast.
But the Scotland international was in disbelief, and was seen and heard asking: “How have you given that, you 'wee d***?”
2. Frank Lampard's "f*** off" Klopp blast
Another incident from last summer’s extended programme, things got a little heated on the Anfield touchline between Frank Lampard and Jurgen Klopp.
Lampard was furious at a soft free-kick being given to the hosts, and took exception to the Liverpool bench’s response, confronting Klopp’s assistant Pep Lijnders initially.
In true Klopp style, the German intervened, which left Lampard shouting at him: “You can f*** off and all. 'You think you can give it the big one, f*** off. Tell them to have respect, sit down.”
The now-sacked Lampard admitted that he regretted the incident and apologised for his language in the aftermath.
3. Klopp tells off coaching staff
Just three months later Klopp was involved in another moment on the touchline against Chelsea, but this time his frustrations were at his own coaching staff.
During the Stamford Bridge clash in September, Blues defender Andreas Christensen was shown a red card on the stroke of half time.
It was clearly welcome news on the Reds bench, but one member of the coaching staff got a proper dressing down from Klopp for celebrating, as the German asked: “Are you crazy? We never ever do that, OK?”
4. Holding’s Traore accusation
This one certainly did the rounds on social media as Arsenal defender Rob Holding left viewers in stitches with his take on Wolves winger Adama Traore last November.
With the Gunners trailing in the final five minutes of normal time, Holding was adjudged to have fouled the well-built Traore.
And hilariously Holding’s response to Michael Oliver was: “He's built like a brick s***house, how's he gone down like that?”
The jibe certainly didn’t need any lip reading qualifications to make out, while it was also completely audible.
5. Maguire and Rashford row
More recently, Manchester United pair Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford shared an expletive-filled row on the pitch which was very audible for the viewers at home during their 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
Clearly frustrated at straying offside, Maguire was annoyed at his fellow countryman, and called out his name as the referee’s whistle blew.
Rashford retorted: “What the f*** do you want me to do?”
“F****** get back onside!” Maguire replied.
But the advice didn’t sit well with the forward, who quickly fired back in his anger: “Shut the f*** up, f****** k*******.”
