The measures adopted by the German country around the Covid-19 coronavirus prevent the Reds from traveling to play the first leg of the round of 16 there.
The Champions League clash entered the Liverpool and the RB Leipzig has turned into chaos, with the Premier League champions having prohibited from entering Germany because of the Covid-19 coronavirus. Jurgen Klopp’s team should play the first leg of the round of 16 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on 16 February, but everything remains to be seen.
Why can’t Liverpool enter Germany?
Germany has introduced strict rules prohibiting international travel from areas considered high risk due to coronavirus mutations, such as the UK.
Air travel to Germany from these regions they are prohibited until at least February 17, one day after the match is due to be played.
The news has not been a significant surprise in Germany. Earlier in the week, the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) announced that the new restrictions “initially would not allow exceptions for professional athletes.”
On Thursday, the BMI confirmed that a Champions League match would not be grounds for a special permit. “The Federal Police informed the association that the constellation described does not fall under the exceptional circumstances of the Corona Protection Ordinance,” BMI told the Sports Information Service (SID).
UEFA has given Leipzig until February 8 to organize an alternative plan that allows the party to move forward.
Where could RB Leipzig vs. Liverpool?
It is possible, but unlikely, that the two teams agree to change their home games, so the first leg on February 16 would be played at Anfield. The return is scheduled for March 10, which gives time to find a solution or ease restrictions.
However, it is highly unlikely that Liverpool will accept that, as the club I would not be willing to lose the advantage of having the decisive second leg at Anfield.
The match could be played in a neutral venue, in a country with less stringent coronavirus restrictions, with Russia and Hungary suggested as possible scenarios, Bild has reported.
Can Liverpool or RB Leipzig lose the points?
If a satisfactory plan is not presented to UEFA by 8 February, Liverpool will get a 3-0 win. Taking away goals into the equation, Klopp’s side would have a huge advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield.
Leipzig reached the semi-finals of last year’s tournament, with Liverpool being eliminated in the quarter-final stage by the Atlético de Madrid shortly before England was stalled in the wake of the pandemic.
