The Premier League are discussing whether Liverpool’s game against Chelsea next week could be relocated to Anfield.
That’s according to The Athletic. They claim that next Sunday’s game, which is scheduled to be played at Stamford Bridge, could be moved to the Liverpool stadium.
It’s claimed that as a result of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, there could be a shortage of police officers to cover matches going on in London. For this reason, games in the capital could reportedly be reversed, with the away team as hosts.
However, this suggestion is reportedly ‘unlikely’ to prove popular. Owing to concerns over hosting a game at such short notice, the move may not be pushed through.
The show must go on
There would no doubt be big challenges around hosting an unexpected game at Anfield with just a week’s notice. Especially one as big as a clash with Chelsea.
But if that’s the only way to get the game to go ahead, then all stops must be pulled out. Having already missed a fixture this week, Premier League teams can’t afford a back log of fixtures.
The World Cup is now just over two months away. With another international break to squeeze in before then, there’s little room for manoeuvre.
If Liverpool weren’t involved in Europe, it would be a little easier. But with Chelsea’s mid-weeks also more or less full, there’s simply no time. If something can be done to make this game happen, it should really be done.
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool
From a purely footballing point of view, it could also benefit Liverpool as well.
A trip to Stamford Bridge isn’t a welcome sight on the fixture list for any team. Liverpool have a decent record there in recent years, but given their current form, they’d much rather play at home.
Chelsea have just hired Graham Potter in a very smart looking move. But with just a week on the training ground, his ideas might not have had time to instil themselves just yet. In that respect, it could be a good time to play them.
If the game doesn’t go ahead though, it could benefit Liverpool in a different way. That would mean their next Premier League match would be after the upcoming international break. Should that happen, they could have both Jordan Henderson and Ibrahima Konate back from injury. Let’s see how this one plays out.
