- Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City will be played at the Etihad next Thursday
- Greater Manchester Police have no issues with it taking place as planned
- The Merseyside derby took place at Goodison Park on Sunday without incident
Manchester City have been given the green light to stage their Premier League fixture against Liverpool on July 2 at the Etihad Stadium.
Before the resumption of the top flight earlier this month, City-Liverpool was one of six matches that police asked to be held at a neutral venue because of safety concerns.
However, Manchester City Council’s safety advisory group met on Thursday and concluded there were ‘n’The Council’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) for the Etihad Stadium met this morning to review the upcoming fixture between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC,’ a statement from Manchester City Council read.
‘Following the most recent round of Premier League fixtures which have all taken place behind closed doors the SAG has signalled it has no objections to the above fixture taking place at the Etihad Stadium as planned at 8.15pm, Thursday July 2.
‘As with all other Premier League matches this fixture will take place behind closed doors, with no fans present.’
While Liverpool’s visit to City was one of the matches initially identified as high-risk last month by the national lead for football policing, Mark Roberts, amid suggestions they should be switched to neutral venues to avoid the potential for mass gatherings, the list was swiftly reduced to two — the City game and last weekend’s Merseyside derby.
o objections’ to the fixture taking place at City’s home ground
Merseyside Police raised no objection to the latter fixture being staged at Goodison Park however, and after last Sunday’s goalless draw took place without incident, their counterparts in Manchester followed suit.
Liverpool were looking to clinch their first league title in 30 years at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday but the draw at Everton coupled with City’s 5-0 rout over Burnley means it was not mathematically assured, even with their win over Palace.
And so the wait will go on and Jurgen Klopp’s side now face the prospect of clinching the league title against the current champions.
However, Liverpool will be crowned as champions on Thursday should City fail to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Merseyside Police raised no objection to the latter fixture being staged at Goodison Park however, and after last Sunday’s goalless draw took place without incident, their counterparts in Manchester followed suit.
Liverpool were looking to clinch their first league title in 30 years at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday but the draw at Everton coupled with City’s 5-0 rout over Burnley means it was not mathematically assured, even with their win over Palace.
And so the wait will go on and Jurgen Klopp’s side now face the prospect of clinching the league title against the current champions.
However, Liverpool will be crowned as champions on Thursday should City fail to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
