[ad_1]
Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United in January will be played behind closed doors at Anfield after the UK government moved the Liverpool region to Level 3 on national coronavirus restrictions.
The change in Liverpool’s status (the city had previously been at Tier 2, but moved up due to an escalation in COVID-19 infections across the country) means that all Premier League matches are now they will play without supporters present until further notice. none of the 20 top-level clubs based in Level 2 areas, allowing 2,000 fans to attend sports matches.
– Stream games and replays LIVE on ESPN + (US only)
Liverpool and Everton had been the only teams capable of hosting Premier League matches in front of fans since London and large swaths of southern England moved to Level 4 earlier this month.
Everton’s meeting with West Ham at Goodison Park on January 1 will now be played behind closed doors, but Liverpool’s change in status means that the long-awaited clash between Jurgen Klopp’s side and traditional rivals United on January 17 It will also be played in front of empty stands.
United’s 1-0 win against Wolves at Old Trafford on Tuesday placed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in second place in the Premier League table, two points behind Liverpool ahead of the champions’ trip to Newcastle on Wednesday. .
Twenty-time champions United will travel to Anfield after being undefeated away from home in the Premier League since losing 2-0 at Liverpool on 19 January this year.
But barring a significant drop in the COVID-19 infection rate between now and January 13, when levels will be reviewed, the biggest game of the Premier League season so far will be played behind closed doors.
