Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson has described plans to resume the Premier League season as a ‘non-starter’, sharing his fear that ‘farcical’ scenes would ensue in the event of the title heading to Merseyside.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic forcing the suspension of professional football in England, Liverpool were just two wins away from clinching a first championship in 30 years.
Reds supporters are understandably keen to get things back under way as a consequence - hopes that were boosted by recent reports of top-flight discussions over ‘Project Restart’ and a behind-closed-doors end to the campaign.
However, those plans do not have the backing of the city’s mayor, who believes scenes of celebration would inevitably follow Jurgen Klopp’s side claiming the six points they require.
Anderson says that would put too much pressure on police, who are already stretched by their bid to ensure social distancing is maintained during lockdown.
"Even if it was behind closed doors, there'd be many thousands of people who would turn up outside Anfield," he told BBC Sport.
"There's not many people who would respect what we were saying and stay away from the ground, a lot of people would come to celebrate so I think it's a non-starter.
"I think it would be really difficult for the police to keep people apart and maintain social distancing if they were going to celebrate outside Anfield, it would be farcical.
"It's difficult for us to try to stop people gathering in parks when the weather has been good, especially young people. And I fear people would just ignore it.
"The police are right to be concerned about that as we are here in the city, and public health officials are also concerned about that, so we'd ask the Premier League and government to take into account all of these concerns that we have."
Mayor Anderson has made no secret of his lifelong affiliation to Liverpool’s city rivals Everton.
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However, he would be happy to see a ‘deserved’ title go to the Reds even should the season be brought to an early end.
"I think the best thing to do is to actually end the season," he added.
"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."
