Coronavirus: Jurgen Klopp unsure of benefits of playing games behind closed doors

The illness has spread to more than 80 countries, including the United Kingdom and sporting events around the world have been impacted by Covid-19

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (AFP/Getty)

Jurgen Klopp admitted he is unsure about the benefit of playing matches behind closed doors in an effort to curb coronavirus, but conceded Liverpool will respect any decision taken as “there are things that are more important than football.”

The illness has spread to more than 80 countries, including the United Kingdom and sporting events around the world have been impacted by Covid-19.

Football fixtures in Spain’s top two divisions will go ahead without any fans for at least the next two weeks.

All sport at all levels in Italy is to be suspended initially until April 3.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the first leg of Manchester United’s Europa League last-16 at LASK in Austria will occur behind closed doors.

And while previewing Liverpool’s Champions League hosting of Atletico Madrid, Klopp was asked his feelings about the possibility of playing games without fans – a move yet to be implemented in England.

“There are things that are more important than football,” the Liverpool manager said. “I think we realise that again in this moment. What we need is time to find a solution for that. How can we win that time? By avoiding different situations.

“I don’t know enough about how much it would help with [closing off] football games. The problem with football games is if you are not in the stadiums, then you go watch it closely together in rooms and I’m not sure which is better in this case, to be honest. I mean that.

“Whatever will be decided, we will respect. We all have families, we are parents, we have kids and friends, which we want to do well.

“For that, it’s clear we will accept that, but I don’t know how much sense it will make. If people think it will help, then we will do it.”

A Madrid-based reporter pressed Klopp on whether he feared his squad could be infected by the virus given the major preventative measure in England has been the prohibiting of pre-match handshakes between both teams and officials by the Premier League and EFL.

“In this moment, the players are all healthy,” he responded. “Why should we worry? What we do by not shaking hands is sending a sign. It’s good for you, it’s good for me, that we don’t shake hands now.

“It’s important that 22 completely healthy players are sending this sign for society. Playing football is just a game. We are not the society, we are only are part of society and we should all be worried in the same time.

“That’s exactly what I don’t like – you sit and ask me this question, but you flew from Madrid to be here. So stay there – they’ve closed schools and you’re obviously concerned.

“But you think football is worth it to travel or whatever. So that’s our common problem – we play football, but we cannot stop it [the spread of the virus] with football. We do what we have to do.”