Liverpool could be forced to play Leipzig second leg on neutral turf

Liverpool could be forced to play Champions League second-leg against RB Leipzig AWAY from Anfield at neutral venue because German side would have to quarantine on return from England

  • Liverpool’s first leg of Champions League last 16 clash has been moved already 
  • Return could see Reds play RB Leipzig away from Anfield at neutral venue
  • Jurgen Klopp’s side were refused entry into Germany by federal authorities 
  • Leipzig would have to quarantine after returning from England on March 10 

Liverpool could have the second leg of their Champions League tie against RB Leipzig switched from Anfield to a neutral venue. 

The Reds are already having to deal with disruption for the first leg next Tuesday, which will be played in Budapest after they were refused entry to Germany by the federal authorities. 

And now Leipzig have been told they would have to quarantine upon returning from Merseyside after the second leg, due to concerns over new strains of the Covid-19 virus. 

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool may not be able to play the second leg against RB Leipzig at Anfield

The fact that no crowds are allowed softens the blow of the Reds if they’re forced to move

According to the Times, Liverpool therefore face the prospect of having to take on Julian Nagelsmann’s side on neutral soil. 

Leipzig would be unable to travel to England with the current strict protocols in place and their opponents have already started looking at alternatives. 

The regulations are such that Klopp was not even allowed to go home for the funeral of his mother, who died on January 19 at the age of 81. 

Those rules will be revisited on March 5 by the German government, five days before the second leg is to be completed.   

RB Leipzig would have to quarantine when coming back from England to Germany

A statement from UEFA said: ‘UEFA is in touch with the respective clubs, the English Football Association and the German Football Association.’

There are concerns that the tournament could become so disrupted by different coronavirus rules in different countries that the two-legged format might be impossible to go through with in this year’s tournament. 

Manchester City could also face disruption. Their first leg against Borussia Monchengladbach has been moved to Budapest on February 24 and the return is scheduled for March 16. 

While Chelsea are another Premier League side affected by the chaos. They have to play their first leg with Atletico Madrid in Bucharest.

Spain is also on a ‘red list’ of countries drawn up by the UK government, which means the Chelsea squad couldn’t travel there without quarantining on their return or a special exemption. 

Manchester City are worried they will not be able to host Borussia Monchengladbach at home

Christian Pulisic and Co will have to travel to Romania for their game against Atletico Madrid 

More and more countries are closing their borders to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus and, in particular, new and dangerous Covid strains. 

And for some of the Premier League participants, it’s going to mean significantly more travelling that originally planned, causing further wear on players already dealing with a hectic schedule. 

In the Europa League, Arsenal are having to play their first leg against Benfica in Rome, which fortunately for them will mean less travelling, and the location of the second leg is yet to be announced. 

Manchester United are unable to play Real Sociedad in Spain for the same reasons and instead will take on the LaLiga side in Turin. 




Share this article

Source: Read Full Article