Liverpool City Council's Safety Advisory Group to meet on Monday
Monday 8 June 2020 10:46, UK
Joe Anderson, the mayor of Liverpool, says he would now be in favour of the Merseyside derby taking place at Everton's Goodison Park ground later this month.
Liverpool could potentially wrap up a first Premier League title at Everton on June 21, in both sides' first match back since the season was put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic three months ago.
A fear of fans congregating outside Goodison Park or Anfield led to speculation the game could be held at a neutral venue - but Merseyside Police have said there were no objections from the force to holding games at either ground.
Anderson has previously voiced his opposition to the season restarting on a home-and-away basis, because of the risk of supporters gathering outside stadiums.
But he has now withdrawn his complaint, telling The Athletic: "We are in a better place than we were four weeks ago and we've been able to convey why it's so important nobody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.
"We have had the opportunity since then to speak to fans, and the clubs have done their part and got the message across that the supporters need to stay away.
"Both clubs have made it clear. [Liverpool manager] Jurgen Klopp has made it clear.
"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."
The issue will be on the agenda on Monday at a meeting of Liverpool City Council's Safety Advisory Group.
Liverpool need just two victories from their final nine fixtures to claim a first top-flight crown in 30 years, but they will be able to wrap it up at Goodison Park if second-placed Manchester City lose to Arsenal on June 17.
The Premier League 2019/20 season will provisionally restart on Wednesday, June 17 and Sky, the UK's leading football broadcaster, will make 25 games available 'free to air' - including Everton vs Liverpool on the first full weekend back - for everyone in the UK to enjoy.
Sky Sports will show 64 live Premier League games when the season resumes. In addition to the 39 matches already scheduled to be broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports before the coronavirus interruption, 25 more matches will be available on both Sky Sports Premier League and Sky's free-to-air Pick channel, allowing the whole nation to be part of the return of live sport.
To celebrate the return of the Premier League, Sky Sports will also launch a host of innovative new features and updates to give fans an even more immersive experience and share the moments live with family and friends on virtual platforms.
