Jurgen Klopp has dismissed fears about the safety of football’s return, despite the Premier League revealing six Covid-19 positives in their first round of testing.
The Liverpool manager argued that in Germany, the Bundesliga’s testing programme found more players were suffering from Coronavirus, and yet they were able to play games within six weeks of returning to training.
And Klopp also dismissed the argument that football will simply not be the same without fans.
He insists it is a new reality that everyone must accept.
“I always said we don’t want to rush anything, but I don’t think it is rushed,” he said.
"Of course, there are different opinions, but I think with all the things we know about, sticking to the social distancing rule with testing as often as possible and stuff like this, the players will be safe.
“Germany showed this already – a couple of players had a positive test during the long period, they trained for five weeks and now they play already. They had altogether 10 or 12 positive tests.
"That shows we create like a society and a society in which we just really make sure nothing will happen there."
Klopp was also scornful about the argument that Germany’s experience in restarting the Bundesliga with no fans was a soulless experience.
“Anfield will not be packed for a while. So that’s what we have to accept, that’s the only thing,” he said.
“I know, football behind closed doors, of course it’s not the same, (but) why do we have to mention it? We love that but we cannot have it.
"Why would you think always about something you cannot have in the moment?
“It looks like it will be possible – and it is in Germany already possible – to play behind closed doors. (So) use the thing you have in the moment.
“The German football games were really good; super goals, real fight, tight games, clear games, clear results, a proper fight. Imagine, the first night is a little bit like, ‘Have a look here and there, how will it work, how does it feel?’
“But in Germany so many teams play for pretty much everything – they want to stay in the league – and that’s exactly the same what will happen in England.”
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