Klopp makes huge claim, gives reasons why Liverpool couldn't defend their Champions League title

Klopp makes huge claim, gives reasons why Liverpool couldn't defend their Champions League title

The rampaging coronavirus has been blamed as responsible for Liverpool's poor performance at the now-suspended UEFA Champions League, SunSport reports.

Team manager Jurgen Klopp disclosed that his side could not prepare properly for their second leg round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid because of the coronavirus situation in the Spanish capital.

Extra-time goals from Marcos Llorente and Alvaro Morata condemned the Reds to a 3-2 defeat on the night and 4-2 on aggregates after the first leg had ended 1-0 in favour of the La Liga side.

At that time, Spain was already having recorded cases of the coronavirus with a whopping 782 confirmed cases in Madrid on match day, and that was said to have hampered their preparations.

Despite having about 3,000 supporters who traveled from Anfield to the Spanish capital, the reigning champions were dumped out of the competition.

Prior to that game, Liverpool stadium had been shut down due to rising conronavirus cases in the UK, many believe that match should not have held.

He said: "But then on Monday morning, I woke up and heard about the situation in Madrid, that they would close the schools and universities from Wednesday, so it was really strange to prepare for that game, to be honest.

Meanwhile, the effect of the dreaded coronavirus on football activities in Europe could take a new turn as English Premier League clubs may be barred from the UEFA Champions League if the suspended season is declared null and void, SunSport reports.

Top four Premier League teams Liverpool, Manchester City, Leicester, and Chelsea are currently billed for the elite competition, but with City's ban from European competitions, fifth-placed Manchester United also have a chance.

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