Klopp feared for Liverpool title during lockdown

Klopp relieved to be playing again

VIDEO SHOWS: LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP SPEAKING AT A VIRTUAL MEDIA CONFERENCE == RESENDING WITH FULL SHOTLIST AND SCRIPT == SHOWS: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK (JUNE 19, 2020)(REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING: "Honestly, yes.

It was the moment, I didn't think when we went into lockdown, I didn't think for a second 'Oh my God, that's our season' when we are so close', not for a second, because that was not important in that moment.

"I became worried the moment when people started talking about null and void the season, it was like wow.

I really felt it physically, really, but that would have been really really hard." 2.

WHITE FLASH 3.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING: "There were moments, you know how long the discussions were, some people brought it up from time to time for different reasons.

When that was off the table then I felt quite relieved.

"Now we are here, so if they had have done the points per game and we could have played then we probably would have been now champions.

So now we aren't, we have to play for it, that's great, that's how it should be in sports and now we go for it." 4.

WHITE FLASH 5.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING: "It will be tough, tougher than tough the next few weeks.

I hope I can enjoy it because that's the plan actually.

The hard work was never a problem to us, but we need to make sure that we really play again the best football that we are able to play." STORY: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said that he feared his team may have been denied the chance to win the league title by the coronavirus stoppage.

Liverpool were 25 points clear and just six points away from guaranteeing their first league title in 30 years when play was stopped in March.

Asked whether he was worried about being denied that triumph, Klopp said on Friday (June 19): "Honestly, yes." "When we went into lockdown, I didn't think for a second 'Oh my God, that's our season' when we are so close', not for a second, because that was not important in that moment," he added.

"I became worried the moment when people started talking about null and void the season, it was like wow.

I really felt it physically, really, but that would have been really really hard," he said.

Some in the game, prominently West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady, had argued that the season should be declared null and void with no title winner and no relegation.

The league, however, was able to resume on Wednesday and looks set to complete the season without any need for what would have been a bitter discussion about whether to void the campaign or decide issues on a points-per-game calculation.

Liverpool will be aiming to get three of the six points they need in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Sunday.

"It will be tough, tougher than tough the next few weeks.

I hope I can enjoy it because that's the plan actually.

The hard work was never a problem to us, but we need to make sure that we really play again the best football that we are able to play," said Klopp.

(Production: Andy Ragg)