Jurgen Klopp asks why Tottenham did not have hand sanitizer in their pressroom ahead of post-match media duties, as wary Liverpool boss points out he has to ‘touch a chair’ despite Spurs’ Covid outbreak
Spurs were struck by a large coronavirus outbreak, which saw their fixtures against Rennes, Brighton and Leicester called off and their training ground forced to close.
At least nine first-team players and several members of Antonio Conte’s coaching staff returned positive tests, a worrying trend now disrupting the Premier League.
And Liverpool manager Klopp is seemingly eager to remain out of self-isolation, having advised Spurs to introduce new measures inside their stadium for safety.
After sitting down to begin his media duties, he took a quick look around him before pointing out the lack of sanitizer available.
‘I really think in this room there should be hand sanitizer,’ he said. ‘I honestly think that would be good. ‘You know, you had around about 13 cases or whatever. I have to touch a chair.’
The Anfield outfit have found themselves hit by a number of Covid cases, too.
Midfielder Thiago Alcantara is believed to have become the fourth player to test positive, a result which ruled him out of the enthralling clash in north London.
He registered a suspected positive test, meaning he was not available for selection.
Liverpool was without Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones due to the virus.
Worryingly, six of the ten scheduled Premier League games over the weekend were called off because of coronavirus-related concerns.
There is more pressure than ever on footballers to get their vaccinations, and Klopp has said that clubs will be reluctant to sign those who have not had their jabs.
Remaining ever vocal in encouraging people to get protected, Klopp says that, while it may be impossible to force anyone, players could miss out in the transfer market.
‘I think it (being vaccinated) will be influential, definitely, in who clubs sign,’ he said.