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Liverpool title decider among games likely to be played at neutral venue

Liverpool title decider among games likely to be played at neutral venue
© Reuters
Up to six Premier League matches could be played at neutral venues, including "the game in which Liverpool could secure the title".

Police have set out the Premier League matches they would like to be played at neutral venues, which would include any Liverpool game where the title could be won.

The matches which have been requested to take place at neutral grounds are Manchester City v Liverpool, Manchester City v Newcastle, Manchester United v Sheffield United, Newcastle v Liverpool and Everton v Liverpool.

The police statement adds that "the game in which Liverpool could secure the league title" should also be moved, but this may end up needing to be more than one match if the Reds did not clinch it at the first attempt.

Deputy chief constable Mark Roberts of South Yorkshire Police, the UK's football policing lead, said in a statement issued to the PA news agency: "Our discussions with the Premier League throughout this process have been positive, with a shared focus on the priority of public health.

Anfield will not play host to any Premier League title celebrations this year, if the police's request is granted
Anfield will not play host to any Premier League title celebrations this year, if the police's request is granted (Phil Noble/PA)

"As such we have reached a consensus that balances the needs of football, while also minimising the demand on policing.

"The majority of remaining matches will be played at home and away as scheduled, with a small number of fixtures taking place at neutral venues, which, contrary to some reports, have yet to be agreed.

"The views and agreement of forces which host Premier League clubs have been sought and where there were concerns, the Premier League has been supportive in providing flexibility in arranging alternative venues where requested.

"This plan will be kept continually under review to ensure public health and safety and a key part of this is for supporters to continue to respect the social distancing guidelines, and not to attend or gather outside the stadiums."

Newcastle, in 13th, are the lowest-ranked side to be involved in a match at a neutral venue as things stand.

Deputy chief constable Mark Roberts of South Yorkshire Police, the UK's football policing lead
Deputy chief constable Mark Roberts of South Yorkshire Police, the UK's football policing lead (Aaron Chown/PA)

There had been complaints from some clubs towards the bottom of the table, including Brighton, about the impact of playing at neutral venues on sporting integrity.

Clubs will hold further discussions on whether to proceed with the season on this basis when they meet again on June 4.

The police statement did not mention any matches in the English Football League.

Championship clubs are back in training with a view to restarting next month, and an EFL spokesperson said: "It remains our intention to play all remaining league matches at clubs' home grounds as long as they comply with the relevant Government guidance.

"We will only seek to move matches if they are not permitted by the relevant local authority, following any representations from the local police force."

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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