Liverpool have reacted with "disappointment" to mayor of the city Joe Anderson's suggestion that completing the Premier League season was a "non-starter" due to the possibility of Reds fans gathering around Anfield to celebrate their inevitable title success.
Anderson says that even if neutral venues were used, Liverpool fans may still be drawn to Anfield when they win their first league title in 30 years, and urged the Premier League and UK Government to take that into account when he urged for the league to be ended.
"I think the best thing to do is to actually end the season," Anderson told the BBC.
"It isn't just about Liverpool - they've clearly won the league - they deserve it, they should be crowned league champions.
"The bottom line is, though, this is about health and safety and people's lives and I think football should have to come second in regards to making a choice here."
Liverpool, though, have reacted badly to Anderson's calls for the season to be scrapped, saying his claims are without foundation.
They said in a statement: "As a club, we are aware of and disappointed by comments attributed to Mayor Joe Anderson in a media interview which was published today.
"As well as a lack of evidence to support such claims, we would also point to recent discussions with Mayor Anderson relating to the possibility of any behind-closed-doors football, which concluded that it is important that key stakeholders across the city continue to engage and work collaboratively.
Project Restart plans
- Proposed June 8 start
- Players to be tested twice a week for Covid-19
- Players to arrive at training in kit, wear masks & not eat or shower on the premises
- Training to operate social distancing policy
- Proposal to play games at neutral venues to be discussed
"In recent weeks, we have engaged with supporters' groups who have informed us of their determination to respect social distancing measures and, in the event of a resumption of football being announced, we would continue to work with them and other key stakeholders in keeping with our collective desire to achieve this crucial objective.
"As part of our ongoing operations, we are in regular contact with the mayor and his office and we hope these conversations can continue."
Further souring the relationship is the fact that Anderson later denied even speaking to Liverpool on the subject staging behind-closed-doors matches at Anfield.
Anderson later told Sky Sports News that Liverpool hadn't been involved in any talkes with the club.
"I still have concerns about people congregating outside Anfield and like others, like the police, I think those concerns are valid," he added. I would argue that, like other countries, let's close it down, let's plan for next season."
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