Liverpool mayor wants derby match to be played at Goodison Park

The Merseyside derby will be the first match for Jurgen Klopp's side once the Premier League restarts following the coronavirus interruption.

Published : Jun 07, 2020 21:20 IST , London

Goodison Park should be the venue for the potentially title-deciding Merseyside derby, feels Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson.
Goodison Park should be the venue for the potentially title-deciding Merseyside derby, feels Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson.
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Goodison Park should be the venue for the potentially title-deciding Merseyside derby, feels Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson.

Liverpool's potential title-winning clash against Everton should be played at Goodison Park instead of a neutral venue, according to the city's mayor Joe Anderson.

The Merseyside derby will be the first match for Jurgen Klopp's side once the Premier League restarts following the coronavirus interruption.

If second placed Manchester City loses at home to Arsenal on June 17, then leader Liverpool can wrap up its first English title for 30 years with a victory over its city rival.

At present the game is scheduled for Goodison on June 21, but there have been calls from police chiefs to move it to a neutral venue to avoid fans congregating outside in violation of social distancing rules.

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The fixture was on a list of 'high risk' games drawn up by police chiefs last month and Anderson previously said it was not a good idea to restart the season because fans would not stay away.

Yet Anderson has changed his mind and believes the match could safely be staged at Goodison.

“We are in a better place than we were four weeks ago and we've been able to convey why it's so important nobody congregates outside or near grounds,” he told The Athletic website.

“We have had the opportunity since then to speak to fans and the clubs have done their part and got the message across that supporters need to stay away.

“Both clubs have made it clear. Jurgen Klopp has made it clear.

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“So I would have no objection to the games being played at our clubs' home grounds, both the derby at Goodison and Liverpool's games at Anfield.”

Merseyside Police has no objections to the derby being played at Goodison.

The matter will be discussed at Liverpool City Council's Safety Advisory Group meeting on Monday.

Liverpool is 25 points clear at the top, making a title triumph almost inevitable in its remaining nine games.

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