Premier League

The Championship, League One and League Two tables have been declared final after 81 per cent of the country's 42 senior clubs backed the Scottish Professional Football League's (SPFL) plans.

Many of those teams feared for their futures without end-of-season payments, although a final call is yet to be made in the top-flight Premiership, where Gerrard's Rangers are 13 points behind rivals Celtic at the summit but could still mathematically win the league.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the Liverpool great said he felt the process in Scotland compared unfavourably with efforts to restart the season in England amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"For myself – and I think everyone at Rangers was on the same page – what we wanted was to give it the best chance we can," he said.

"There was a different view from the Premier League and the EFL that they wanted to wait and give this season every single chance to be played.

"We all know and respect the fact that there might become a stage where that is impossible to happen. But there seemed to be an almighty rush from where we were to finish it and get the boats in as soon as possible. That didn't sit well at all.

"At Rangers we want to get back playing and get the season done when it's physically safe to do that, with all respect to the situation that we're in.

"Across Scotland, top to bottom, there was so much football to be played. Now, of course, I'm always going to be biased because I'm the Rangers manager and there's a 13-point gap, but I want to put as much pressure on to the end.

"In other leagues, so many clubs had so much to play for and we felt there was a rush to finish it instead of giving it the best chances to be finished."

Despite progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League, where they lost 3-1 to Bayer Leverkusen at Ibrox in their final match before lockdown, Rangers' league form collapsed in February.

That allowed Celtic to storm towards a ninth consecutive title and Gerrard concedes there is room for improvement.

“We came extremely close to success this year in the League Cup, we have had success in the Europa League but the league has been disappointing," he added.

"It is my job to come up with answers and solutions as quick as we can to hopefully finish this season as strong as we can and then move on to next."

Fans are set to be present for City's rescheduled Premier League game against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, but a growing number of fixtures across Europe will be staged before empty stands in response to the outbreak of coronavirus.

All sporting activity in Italy has been suspended until April 3, with Serie A side Atalanta contesting their Tuesday Champions League trip to Valencia in the absence of the paying public.

Manchester United's Europa League visit to LASK in Austria and next week's Barcelona v Napoli and Bayern Munich v Chelsea Champions League encounters are now also behind-closed-doors matches, as are all games in Ligue 1 and LaLiga over the coming weeks.

The Premier League taking similar steps is something Guardiola feels is inevitable but he bridled at the prospects of large chunks of remaining fixtures this season taking place in such circumstances – stating suspending matches altogether would be preferable.

"I understand for a short time, one game, okay. But if it is longer it must be suspended. There is no reason to play without the people," said the City boss, whose team entertain Burnley on Saturday before a sell-out Champions League showdown against Real Madrid next Tuesday.

"This [football] is for the people. It is like an actor going to the theatre to act and nobody being there that night. It's for the people.

"I understand we have to see what happens in the next weeks. Maybe the instances will go down, maybe it will solve the problems. Okay, continue with the games and the competitions.

"But now Barcelona v Napoli will be behind closed doors, Bayern Munich v Chelsea will be behind closed doors. It happened in Germany as well, I think it is going to happen soon here.

"When that happens for a short time it is okay, but for four, five or six games makes no sense."

Guardiola was keen to state the primary concern should go beyond matters of sports scheduling, with the global death toll from COVID-19 having now topped 4,000.

"The first thing is the health of the people. That is the terms of what is best – for humanity and how we take care of ourselves," he added.

"It is not just about one country, one city or one specific place. It is all around the world. There are many cases.

"What speaks for itself is every day [instances of coronavirus] are growing. The same thing happened in China and especially in Italy, where they have absolutely cancelled the league and the people must stay at home.

"Will it happen here? I don't know the way they are going to control it in other places."

Dolors Sala Carrio passed away in Barcelona on Monday, with the club releasing a statement on their official Twitter account.

It read: "The Manchester City family are devastated to report the death today of Pep's mother Dolors Sala Carrio in Manresa, Barcelona after contracting coronavirus. She was 82 years old.

"Everyone associated with the club sends their most heartfelt sympathy at this most distressing time to Pep, his family and all their friends."

Guardiola was reported to have returned home to Spain before the country was put on lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19.

He made a €1million donation to the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation last month, with a view to boosting investment in medical equipment in Catalonia.

Spain has been affected by COVID-19 more than any other European country, with over 135,000 confirmed cases as of Monday.

More than 13,000 people have lost their lives after contracting the virus, which emerged in China late last year.

Captain Tom walked 100 laps of his garden in an effort to bring in money for the NHS Charities Together group, and a public rally behind his efforts saw the challenge raise over £30million.

He was made an honorary colonel to mark his birthday, which was marked with a Royal Air Force flypast and messages from the Queen and prime minister Boris Johnson.

Kane showed his support for the centenarian on Twitter, writing: "Happy birthday @captaintommoore! An incredible inspiration. Have a great day."

The England cricket team also declared Captain Tom an honorary member of their side, with former captain Michael Vaughan saying on BBC Breakfast: "We all want to welcome you, Captain Tom, to our team.

"As you celebrate a maiden century in the company of your family, enjoying the adulation and the affection of a nation, this is our way and our time, to say thank you."

Vaughan's fellow ex-England skipper Andrew Strauss spoke of the "incredible impact" made by the West Yorkshire-born former British Army man.

Responding to a message from an array of cricketers, Captain Tom said via Twitter: "What a privilege. Truly amazing to be made an Honorary Member of the England cricket team. Thank you @MichaelVaughan and @englandcricket for this very special honour."

Pandemics are rare, and those that cause societal shutdown are even more rare, but as we retreat indoors to preserve our health, our favourite sports clubs may be battling to stay in business.

A number of clubs have laid off staff and players already, while other are asking highly-paid players to accept pay cuts, reportedly including Barcelona.

But while Lionel Messi and co will not suddenly need to raid Catalan food banks, the pinch is being felt elsewhere within football, and particularly in the lower leagues.

There are concerns that some English Football League and non-league clubs of long-standing and rich tradition may be pushed to the brink in the coming weeks and months.

With this in mind, Stats Perform spoke to leading sports lawyer Richard Cramer, who presented a considered analysis of how clubs, specifically those in England, could rally to stave off this existential threat.

A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE

Richard Cramer says: "In my experience as a sports lawyer, unbeknown to people you draw on your experiences because of what you've done in the past. But these are unprecedented times and I don't think anybody in the whole world has experienced what we're going through right now.

"We've all got our own emotions and we're all trying to adapt to the scenarios we're faced with."

STAYING AHEAD OF THE GAME

Richard Cramer says: "The key as a lawyer, not just in sport but in business as well, is to keep ahead of what's going on, to check what the laws are, because the laws are changing by the hour... and then almost to sort of say, 'Okay, well if these are the laws now, then how do they apply to the various clubs or institutions?'.

"The rich ones have got a better chance of surviving because they've got more money, they've got more reserves."

TROUBLE LURKS DOWN THE LEAGUES

Richard Cramer: "The Premier League clubs, half of them are owned by countries so they've got a better chance of survival. Where it becomes more problematic is [when] we go lower down the pyramid, because there isn't the money within those clubs to sustain businesses.

"But the way I would be looking at it is almost as if I was advising any other business, to say, ‘Talk to your suppliers, look at the payments that you make'."

SOLUTIONS ARE OUT THERE

Richard Cramer: "Clearly, HMRC [the UK taxation body] right now appear to be sympathetic to organisations that are struggling to pay the PAYE. The Government have given a three-month… not a holiday but a deferment in relation to VAT, which goes into next year. There are grants available."

AGE OF THE FURLOUGH FOOTBALLER*?

Richard Cramer: "Obviously the furlough type of worker which nobody had even heard of until last Friday may well apply now to clubs lower down the pyramid that aren't on huge wages, so if they can't work, and based on the Government lockdown procedures [announced on Monday], if they cannot work then they may well be able to get the grants from the Government to help pay players and staff."

(*a furloughed employee is one who has not been made redundant but who cannot work because employers have closed their workplace, in this case due to the coronavirus pandemic, and to whom the UK Government will pay 80% of salary, up to £2,500 per month)

A PROBLEM SHARED...

RIchard Cramer: "If I was advising, I would say, 'Talk to as many professionals as you can - lawyers, accountants, tax advisers. There are organisations that are specialists in gaining access to finance, who can raise finance'.

"So that's the key: keep talking. What I have noticed already is that the emails are obviously flooding in, but I think we now have time on our hands to talk to people whereas in the past we hadn't. And I think talking and engaging in dialogue is clearly critical."

- Richard Cramer is a sports lawyer with UK firm Front Row Legal

We take a look at how COVID-19 has affected the top five leagues, as well as associated players and teams.

Italy

Serie A, Serie B, Coppa Italia – POSTPONED

Following a government decree issued on Monday, all public gathering are prohibited until April 3, with the whole country put on lockdown.

This directly impacts domestic football, which has been postponed. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is exploring alternatives if the Serie A season – which is constrained by international deadlines relating to Euro 2020 – cannot run its course.

The three suggestions the FIGC has put forward are: to end the season early and crown the leader at that point as champions; halt the 2019-20 campaign without any team winning the title; or have play-offs for the Scudetto and relegation spots.

Germany

Bundesliga, 2.Bundesliga – ACTIVE

The situation in Germany is being dealt with on a case-by-case basis in local regions and is yet to cause widespread disruption to the two highest divisions, however COVID-19 is spreading rapidly.

Bavaria's government has prohibited events with more than 1,000 people until April 19, in a move that will impact Bayern Munich and Augsburg from the Bundesliga.

Die Roten's Champions League meeting with Chelsea next Wednesday will take place in an empty Allianz Arena, though their away match against Union Berlin this weekend is set to go ahead as normal.

Next Wednesday's Rhine derby between Borussia Monchengladbach and Cologne has already been confirmed as the first Bundesliga game to be played with no fans.

Germany's Euro 2020 warm-up friendly against Italy on March 31 will also be behind closed doors.

France

Ligue 1, Ligue 2 – BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

After a previous government decision had announced matches could only be played in front of a maximum of 1,000 fans, authorities have since demanded all games go ahead with no spectators until April 15.

Paris Saint-Germain have already had their meeting with Strasbourg – initially set for last weekend – postponed due to coronavirus, while their upcoming Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund will be played without fans.

LaLiga

LaLiga, La Segunda – BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

It was confirmed on Tuesday that all sporting events in Spain will be played behind closed doors over the next two weeks.

However, following the request of Segunda side Real Zaragoza to postpone all matches instead, the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) added weight to such a call, insisting Spain should be following the lead of countries like Italy and Switzerland.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is set to make a decision on Friday regarding the friendly with Germany at the Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid on March 26.

England

Premier League, the Football League – ACTIVE

As of March 10, English football is yet to be directly impacted by COVID-19.

However, Championship side Nottingham Forest confirmed on Tuesday their owner Evangelos Marinakis had tested positive for the virus.

It is unclear how that will impact on Forest and the division as a whole.

Decisions made by UEFA and CONMEBOL to push back Euro 2020 and the Copa America until 2021 opened the door for domestic competition to continue longer than initially planned.

Upon announcing a four-week extension to the initially planned hiatus on Thursday, the Football Association (FA) revealed it would allow its leagues to continue beyond the June 1 deadline set out in its regulations.

The eventual run-in could prove to be heavily congested. Some Premier League teams are still competing on three fronts, others possess a game in hand, while UEFA is still hoping for a round of international matches in June.

If no games are cut out, we look at how the calendar for English teams could hypothetically shape up if competitions across Europe were able to resume following April 30.

May 2/3 - Matchday 30

May 7 - Postponed Europa League last-16 first legs and unplayed matchday 29 games

May 9/10 - Matchday 31

May 12/13/14 - FA Cup quarter-finals

May 16/17 - Matchday 32

May 19/20/21 - Champions League and Europa League last-16 second legs

May 23/24 - Matchday 33

May 26/27/28 - Champions League and Europa League quarter-final first legs

May 30/31 - Matchday 34

June 2/3/4 - Champions League and Europa League quarter-final second legs

June 6/7 - Matchday 35

June 13/14 - International week

June 20/21 - Matchday 36

June 23/24/25 - Champions League and Europa League semi-final first legs

June 27/28 - Matchday 37

June 30/July 1/2 - FA Cup semi-finals

July 4 - Matchday 38

July 7/8/9 - Champions League and Europa League semi-final second legs

July 11 - FA Cup final

July 15 - Europa League final

July 18 - Champions League final

Hudson-Odoi tested positive for the virus last month, one of the events alongside the diagnosis of Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta that led to the Premier League going into shutdown.

However, the 19-year-old only experienced minor symptoms.

"I am feeling perfect," he told Chelsea's official website. "I had the virus, which has cleared now. I fully feel good, I feel fit, so I am feeling back to myself so it is all good.

"I had it [the illness] three weeks ago now I think, on a Monday when I felt a bit hot and I was thinking this is a bit unusual, why do I feel this hot.

"The next day I was feeling back to normal. I thought it was just a minor temperature thing, but obviously it wasn't. I said to myself this wasn't actually that bad, the symptoms, and I said to myself I feel good, I feel better.

"Everything is happening so fast and I did not know this virus would be such a major thing and so big in the world and affect so many people.

"Everyone has to be careful and judge things how they go and hopefully the virus will go soon and everyone will be back to normal."

As part of football's response to the coronavirus pandemic, Euro 2020 has been pushed back 12 months – something of a motivating factor for England international Hudson-Odoi, who has struggled for form and fitness at times this season.

"For me it is an opportunity to show again and keep pushing myself to the max to hopefully have an opportunity to go to the Euros," he added

"The Euros is a massive thing and I have big belief in myself and hopefully I will be able to get into the team.

"I just want to make sure that I keep pushing myself every game and every minute, making sure that I keep trying to score goals and make assists and keep trying to help the team as much as possible to get what we want, which is a trophy at the end of the day."

France centre-back Laporte has made just eight appearances in all competitions for City this season thanks largely to a serious knee injury sustained in August.

Laporte made his comeback in January but suffered a hamstring strain at the end of February, while the suspension of football across most of Europe due to the outbreak of COVID-19 has been a further frustration.

In an interview with City's website, Laporte said: "I am okay. I am at home, safe. Doing nothing but training a little bit, staying at home and doing some streaming online. 

"I am in Manchester. For me, it was a long time without football on the pitch and it was so difficult. The second time without football and it is always difficult; don't touch the ball, don't be on the pitch in the stadium playing in front of the fans and everything. 

"We have to keep it how it is and waiting for what is the best for our health which is the most important right now."

On his fitness, he added: "I feel fit, no problems. At home I have many things to do, to train, to run. I have a bike, I have weights, I have many things. I cannot do everything, because it is not like being on the pitch. 

"The club gave us a training programme to do at home. Sometimes train together with all of the team. They have given us many things to practice and to do at home."

Laporte said he has now started to join in online gaming with his City team-mates, though was reluctant to offer an opinion as to who is the best in the squad at FIFA. 

"I started yesterday. I will play more games on the internet with many players," he said. 

"Yesterday I was playing with Kyle Walker for example and Raheem [Sterling] today. We will see, maybe I will invite someone to play with me.

 "It depends which games [as to who is the best]. Don't ask me about FIFA because I don't know!

"Everyone says they are the best so I can't pick just one of them. I am not the best for sure! I don't look to improve; I just want to have fun."

The Tottenham head coach believes stadiums would not feel empty even if supporters were not allowed to attend games amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Spurs have nine top-flight matches still to play and have not played since a Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig on March 10.

"If we play the remaining nine matches this season it will be good for every one of us," Mourinho said to Sky Sports.

"It will be good for football, for the Premier League.

"If we play football behind closed doors I'd like to think that football is never behind closed doors. 

"With cameras, it means that millions and millions are watching. So if one day we walk into this empty stadium, it will not be empty, not at all."

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss was also asked about Thursday marking 15 years since he won his first Premier League title.

Mourinho added: "I prefer to think that I'm going to have a fourth Premier League trophy. I have three, I prefer to think I'll have four."

To assist in the fight against COVID-19, Mourinho has also been volunteering to help deliver fresh produce from the club's training ground to Spurs' stadium, where it is sent out to the local community.

The 57-year-old been living with three of his coaching staff during the lockdown and while they spend most of the day working, he has had the opportunity to watch some old matches.

"I miss football, but I prefer to say I miss our world, like I think we all do," he said.

"Football is just part of my world. But we have to be patient, this is a fight that we all have to fight.

"Time flies [during lockdown]… I’m watching matches I never did in my life."

Asked about the cooking arrangements during lockdown, Mourinho replied: "The other guys are a bit better than I am! I'm the fried egg specialist."

The Wolves forward is optimistic the campaign can avoid being closed down early, although he accepts behind-closed-doors games may be inevitable.

Most top-flight clubs had nine games remaining in the league when the coronavirus crisis meant the season had to be paused in March.

Wolves were sitting sixth, while they also have the Europa League to think about having reached the last 16.

Portugal international Jota has been an important figure in Nuno Espirito Santo's team and he hopes to soon be back in action.

He told BBC Sport: "I believe the Premier League can finish.

"We don't need to look to other countries. Each country has its own problems and has to deal with them individually.

“Although some leagues can end right away, others can start sooner. I know almost every country in the world has the Premier League as one of the leagues to watch, so it is major that we can finish the season.”

The Eredivisie called a halt to the 2019-20 season on Friday, with no champions, relegation or promotion, a decision that sparked an outcry from a number of clubs.

Most European leagues nevertheless appear hopeful of a resumption, and Jota can picture the scenario where the Premier League starts up again, albeit without spectators.

He said that given the choice of stopping the season or playing the remaining games behind closed doors, then "obviously we finish the season behind closed doors", but Jota stressed "everyone" would rather play in front of a crowd.

The 23-year-old added: "Maybe we need to go step by step and the first step is to play behind closed doors."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday announced a "roadmap" outlining how lockdown restrictions may be eased, but there was no mention of a potential return of professional sport.

The government released a lengthy document on Monday, which outlined that action may resume from the start of next month as part of step two of lifting restrictions.

It states that one of the changes from June 1 could be "permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact."

The government also stated reopening venues such as sports stadia that attract large crowds "may only be fully possible significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections", so it could be a long time before spectators are allowed in.

Premier League clubs were meeting on Monday to continue talks over 'Project Restart', with the season having been suspended since March 13 due to the COVID-19 crisis.

This has been billed as a crucial week for English football, with doubts lingering over whether top flight and Football League action can resume.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last month announced that there will be no professional cricket played in the UK until July 1, with The Hundred put back until next year.

July is the target for a resumption of the Premiership rugby union season, but no dates have been confirmed.

Further developments were that those not on a shortlist of exemptions must self-isolate in their accommodation for fourteen days on arrival into the UK.

Watford spent much of the Premier League season in the bottom three but sat 17th when the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the suspension of play in England's top flight in March.

Adrian Mariappa confirmed he was one of three people from the Hornets – and six across the Premier League – to test positive for the virus in the first round of analysis conducted by clubs last Sunday and Monday.

Watford captain Troy Deeney has refused to return to training due to health concerns and has voiced his opposition to the season resuming, which it is hoped will happen by June 12.

The club also opposed plans to play the remaining Premier League fixtures at neutral venues.

Kabasele hit out at a Twitter user who claimed Watford have been tactically trying to stop 2019-20 reaching its conclusion on the pitch to ensure their top-flight status is retained.

The centre-back posted: "So let me explain our tactic: we are doing one injection of COVID-19 once a week.

"We draw the player/member of staff who gets it [and] like this we are sure that we never play again and avoid relegation."

Kabasele finished the tweet with an emoji of a man facepalming.

When the same Twitter user said Kabasele should "get back to work", he replied: "Can I laugh at someone who can say to someone that he should 'GET BACK TO WORK' when actually he went back to work…

"And it's not a question of being a coward or not when literally you can kill someone from your household if they get the virus from you. Anything else?"

The Premier League announced on Saturday that the second round of coronavirus tests returned two positives from as many clubs.

The 69-year-old had been admitted for treatment on gallstones on Wednesday and was given a routine coronavirus test, which came back positive.

Dalglish, who was showing no symptoms, was released on Saturday and is now in self-isolation at home.

Writing in The Sunday Post, the former Celtic and Scotland star paid tribute to the NHS staff who looked after him.

"They were absolutely brilliant," he said. "As a nation, we are all very fortunate to have them and I wish them all well as they work tirelessly to help the country through this pandemic."

Dalglish won four Scottish league titles and five domestic cups with Celtic before signing for Liverpool in 1977.

A glittering Anfield career delivered six league titles and three European Cups as player and then player-manager from 1985 until 1990.

Dalglish was in charge during the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 Liverpool fans died during a crush in an FA Cup match. He won widespread acclaim for his support of the victims' families.

Dalglish won the Premier League in 1995 as manager of Blackburn Rovers and later had spells in charge of Newcastle United and Celtic before returning to Liverpool for 2011-12, in which they won the EFL Cup and reached the final of the FA Cup, losing to Chelsea.

The runaway Premier League leaders are to recommence small group sessions on Wednesday as the top flight in England steps up preparations towards a potential June return amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Liverpool posted a picture of boss Klopp alongside his assistant Pep Lijnders, with the German seen covering his face while entering the building.

Prior to the suspension of the Premier League in March due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Liverpool were 25 points clear of second-place Manchester City.

Speaking on Tuesday, Klopp said he was "over the moon" about the prospect of Liverpool returning to training and said he wants his team to be prepared for the challenge of winning the two matches they need to be crowned champions.

"When we start, it goes really again for everything. The competition will make the intensity," he said.

"So, it's not about, 'Oh, Liverpool have to win two games'. By the way, we have to win two games when we start – it's not 'only two', it's two. It's not less or more.

"We have to win them, it's not that we want to win the last two or whatever and come through somehow.

"We want to play the best possible football, better than other teams fighting for the Champions League, fighting to stay in the league.

"We have to do it, unfortunately, without the best boost in the world and the best kick in your a** in the right moment in the world, from the Anfield crowd."

Sessions are to be non-contact and staggered throughout the day to ensure the Premier League's Return to Training Protocol is adhered to.

Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum said he is itching to get going.

"I'm really looking forward to that because we all love football, we all love to play football, so we want to play as much as we can," he told Liverpool's official website.

"Also, the moment and the situation we were in was quite good, so it was really hard for us [professionally] that it stopped immediately after the game against Atletico Madrid [where Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League].

"In two months we didn't do something and we are happy that we can start again."

Footage of the healthcare staff swaying their arms from side to side as they chanted the song was posted on social media this week.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to gather pace across the world, Britain united as one on Thursday to thank those who are battling to save lives.

And Liverpool boss Klopp has praised the "extraordinary" work being done by nurses, doctors, carers and other medical professionals in testing circumstances.

"My English is not good enough to say. It's extraordinary, it's great," he told Liverpool's official website. 

"I think yesterday I was sent a video of people in the hospital just outside the intensive care area and when they started singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' I started crying immediately. 

"It's unbelievable. But it shows everything, these people not only work but they have such a good spirit. They are used to helping other people, we need to get used to it because usually we have our own problems and stuff. 

"But it's their job, they do it day in and day out. They bring themselves, if you want, in danger because they help ill, sick and seriously handicapped people, so I couldn't admire them more and appreciate it more, I really couldn't."

The COVID-19 outbreak has wreaked havoc on the sporting calendar, with Liverpool being made to wait for a maiden Premier League crown and first top-flight title since 1990.

Klopp's men are two victories away from lifting the title, but the German coach insists football does not matter at a time like this.

"We said it now often enough, and I think everybody knows, football is not the most important thing in the world," he said. "One hundred per cent not. In this moment it's clear what is. 

"But the only way to get football back as soon as possible, if that's what the people want, the more disciplined we are now the earlier we will get, piece by piece by piece, our life back. 

"That's how it is. There is no other solution in the moment, nobody has another solution. We have to be disciplined by ourselves, we have to keep the distance to other people.

"In 10, 20, 30, 40 years, if we look back and then the conclusion is that this was the period when the world showed the biggest solidarity, the biggest love, the biggest friendship or whatever, that would be great, that would be really great."

Everton head coach Ancelotti has spoken with Klopp amid the coronavirus pandemic and said the German had concerns over his side’s continental fixture going ahead in front of a full stadium on March 11.

Liverpool went out of the Champions League after the second leg of their last-16 tie ended in a 4-2 aggregate defeat, their last match before top-level football was widely halted due to the outbreak.

Ancelotti told Corriere dello Sport: "I heard from Klopp the other day, he told me that going ahead with the game in those conditions was a criminal act. I think he was right."

Former Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Milan boss Ancelotti predicts there will be an economic "downsizing" after the virus has passed, with football feeling the effects of that.

"We are all living a life that we were not used to and that will change us profoundly," he said. "I'm sure we will all have to downsize, starting with football.

"Today, the priority is health, limiting the contagion. When you start again, when you finish, the dates - believe me, I don't care. At the moment, that's the last thing on my mind.

"I hear talk about cutting salaries, suspension of payments. They seem like inopportune solutions.

"Soon the economy will change, and that's at all levels: The TV rights will be less, players and coaches will earn less, tickets will cost less because people will have less money.

"I repeat, what matters now is to fight the virus effectively. Then, of course, if it will be possible to continue the season... otherwise, amen."

The Liverpool manager has watched his homeland emerge from the COVID-19 crisis with far fewer casualties at this stage than France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom have suffered.

In football, the Bundesliga resumed on May 16, becoming the first major European league to get back under way, with Serie A, LaLiga and the Premier League yet to start up.

Former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz boss Klopp says behind-closed-doors German football has set an example that every league will follow, such has been its success so far.

He has been in close contact with German Football Association (DFB) chief executive Christian Seifert and saluted his "incredible job".

"The basis for everything was the situation in Germany," Klopp told German broadcaster Sky Sport.

"I hope you see it the same way, that you are, so to speak, the land of milk and honey at this time when everything is going in the right direction.

"Probably not the only one, but [Germany is] now in Europe the country where [it has found] the quickest way to deal with the situation correctly and to take the right measures.

"Coupled with the discipline, which somehow unites us all to a certain extent, it quickly steered the whole thing in the right direction. And that made football possible again."

He has been watching the Bundesliga games and observed "a lot less emotion" due to the absence of supporters, but said that "otherwise it looks good".

When it comes to England, Klopp is keen to find positives as the Premier League edges closer to starting up again.

Liverpool, who are on the brink of the Premier League title, are due to play their first match since March when they face Everton on Sunday, June 21.

Klopp said of the coronavirus situation in England: "We still have a bit of work ahead of us, but here too we are heading in the right direction."

The Premier League will not resume until April 30 at the earliest due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it may yet be on hold even longer.

Lampard is wary of asking too much from his players with the uncertainty over the league resuming.

"It is very difficult at the moment because we have got nothing concrete in front of us," the Chelsea head coach told the club's The 5th Stand app.

"We have seen that things can change very quickly, so we can only go by the dates we have been given but daily or probably weekly we are looking at it saying, 'Well, how do we train? What does it look like?'

"The last thing I want to do when the players are in this position is to try and push and push and push [them] for no reason."

Chelsea were fourth in the table when the Premier League season was suspended.

But Lampard said the message to his players had been simple – focus on your families.

"Motivation can be slightly put to the side. I think the motivation at the moment for everyone is how their families are, how their relatives are, how we all see the outside world, and sometimes the realisation probably that there are things which are a lot more important than football," he said.

"However much we love Chelsea and are fortunate to do our jobs, this has certainly hit home for that.

"For me, my message to the players has always been look after your family at this time."

Speaking at a news conference ahead of this weekend's scheduled Premier League match against Watford, Rodgers explained the club had acted as a precaution against the potential spread of COVID-19.

"We've had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs [of the coronavirus]," Rodgers told the media on Thursday.

"We've followed procedures and [as a precaution] they have been kept away from the squad.

"Working in football, it's about having that agility to move with what’s happening in football. We're guided by football and federations. We have to press on with our work and prepare as normal."

In a subsequent statement, the club said: "Leicester City Football Club can confirm that, as a precautionary measure, three members of its first team squad have undertaken a period of self-isolation following recent medical advice.

"In recent days, all three players presented with extremely mild illness and were advised by club medical staff, consistent with current government guidance, to stay home and contact the NHS 111 service.

"All three players were subsequently advised by NHS 111 that their symptoms were consistent with common seasonal illness and that a seven-day period of self-isolation was appropriate as a precaution.

"There was no recommendation that further testing would be necessary. The club is in regular contact with the relevant players, whose symptoms remain mild and self-manageable.

"In the current medical climate, the club is acutely aware of its responsibilities to all of its employees and has issued extensive internal advice consistent with current recommendations from the government and medical professionals on COVID-19 (coronavirus).

"All staff experiencing moderate symptoms of ill-health have been advised to stay at home, to contact NHS 111 and to follow their recommended advice."

Rodgers is hopeful Saturday's trip to Vicarage Road goes ahead as planned but is not a fan of matches being staged behind closed doors.

"It would be a shame [if the Watford game were to be postponed], but the public's health is the most important in all of this," he said.

"The game is all about the players and the fans and if you have one of those not there, it's obviously not the same."

Rodgers also confirmed right-back Ricardo Pereira will face around six months on the sidelines with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while playmaker James Maddison is also out with a calf problem.

Leicester lie third in the Premier League with nine games of the season remaining.