Jurgen Klopp says it is important that clubs ‘support’ the Premier League’s Covid-19 measures following an increase in positive cases across the division.
Brentford’s home clash with Manchester United became the latest fixture postponed as a result of an outbreak in the visitor’s squad, following on from the cancellation of Brighton’s game with Tottenham last weekend.
With fears regarding the Omicron variant and a record number of positive tests in the Premier League last week, 42, Klopp says it is vital clubs continue to support the measures put into place.
“It is important to support the measures,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s game with Newcastle.
“I am earlier on the training ground than most of the players and am tested before the players arrive. When it is negative we are allowed to enter. Yesterday we were all negative and we hope it’s the same today.
“We are like the while world, concerned about it and we do what we can.
“The vaccination status of the team is quite good. Hopefully we can do it with the whole team.”
Klopp also spoke on the comments of Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard, who this week said that player’s vaccination status could come into his side’s thinking when assessing prospective signings.
The German says he has not thought about the implications of signing unvaccinated players but believes the vaccination programme is a chance for football and society to show solidarity.
“I have not thought about it yet to be honest,” Klopp said on signings.
“Who knows where we will be and the situation in the world when we start signing players again. That is not important at the moment. The whole vaccination thing is a massive question of solidarity. We have a chance to help not only ourselves but other people as well.”
Liverpool host a Newcastle side currently mired in the Premier League’s bottom three tomorrow evening, with the Magpies having won just once in the league so far this season.
Klopp is expecting a difficult challenge against Eddie Howe’s side, however, whilst he also spoke on the changes he has seen in Newcastle since the latter’s arrival as manager at St James’ Park.
“Newcastle are a really good football team, with good players in all positions. The Leicester result didn’t look like a 4-0 when you watched the game. They are on a run of not-so-easy games and we expect them to have lots of fight. We will need all the support from the stands to get the result we want.”
On Howe’s impact, Klopp added: “More possession, more shots on target, more offensive things. I have known Eddie for a long time, you can see glimpses of the Bournemouth style.
“They played a 4-5-1 when we won 2-1 at Anfield and they caused us some problems so maybe he will do that again.”
