Klopp says the Premier League CAN continue without a 'circuit breaker'

Jurgen Klopp believes the Premier League CAN continue without a ‘circuit breaker’ amid rising Covid-19 cases in the top flight – but Liverpool boss is ready to put title defence on hold if football is shut down

Rising coronavirus cases have disrupted the current Premier League campaign
West Brom boss Sam Allardyce called for a circuit breaker to help ensure safety
Jurgen Klopp is more optimistic and believes the league can cope without one
But the Liverpool coach would be willing to put his side’s title defence on hold

Jurgen Klopp believes the Premier League can cope without a circuit breaker but the Liverpool boss would understand if the authorities paused the season to help curb the coronavirus crisis.

Premier League chiefs remain committed to continuing the 2020/21 campaign, despite several top-flight matches being postponed and a record number of positive tests among staff and players last week.

West Brom boss Sam Allardyce has openly called for a shutdown to ensure people’s safety, claiming: ‘We can only do the right thing which would be to have a circuit breaker… I’m very concerned for myself and football in general.’

Jurgen Klopp believes that the Premier League will be able to cope without a circuit breaker

Klopp is more optimistic and stressed the important societal role football can play in these times. But the Liverpool boss is ready to put their title defence on hold if that’s what is decided.

‘I think the competition can go on and I think it’s important as well, because people want to watch it and we are in this case not part of the society, the one we usually live (in) – isolated, go to the training ground and stuff like this. So I think we can carry on but I’m no specialist and I respect all the decisions made in the next few weeks,’ Klopp said.

‘We all try to do our best to keep the competition going, I think it works well.

Klopp also insisted, however, that he is ready to put Liverpool’s defence of their title on hold

‘We knew before that the winter there probably will be a second wave or something. However you want to call that. And on top of that, for us as a society, Christmas is a challenge when it’s about self-isolation and stuff like this.

‘So I’m not surprised that the numbers go up and then in football as well the numbers go slightly up. It’s understandable but we still try all, to do everything to keep the boys as safe as (possible).’

Klopp also provided an update on Virgil van Dijk, who is continuing his recovery from a serious knee injury.

Rising coronavirus cases have disrupted the top flight and postponed games in recent weeks

The Dutch defender, who damaged his ACL in a challenge with Jordan Pickford back in October, has gone out to Dubai as part of his rehab.

As he battles to play again this season, Van Dijk has been working with a Liverpool physio and alongside compatriot Clarence Seedorf at the Nad Al Sheba complex.

‘(His progress is) good, very good. But still a long way to go, it’s that kind of injury,’ Klopp said. ‘So I’m happy when I see these videos because it just shows he makes good progress. But it will still take a lot of time, that’s how it is. I’d like to say something else but these are the facts unfortunately.’

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