Klopp calls for more honesty over how many Premier League players have Covid

Jurgen Klopp is calling for more honesty from Premier League clubs about how many of their players and staff have Covid before asking for matches to be postponed.

The Liverpool mananger spoke out before it emerged that Burnley's scheduled encounter with Watford at Turf Moor was postponed, hours before kick-off, following an outbreak in the Hornets camp.

Tottenham and Manchester United both had to call off Premier League games due to coronavirus cases within the club while Aston Villa went ahead with their fixture at Norwich on Tuesday after two positives among the players.

Klopp, who reported his squad was Covid-free ahead of the visit of Newcastle, believes greater openness would help in the overall decision making.

Klopp said: "In the Premier League it would be pretty helpful if we really knew exactly what the situation is.

"From my point of view I don't know 100 per cent why we are not more open. A lot of people catch Covid. If I catch it - hopefully not - I'd be fine to tell.

"Come on, say it then everyone can understand you are not able to play. I would prefer that but I'm not sure if from a legal point of view it is possible.

"It's something which we are all in the same situation as human-beings and I really think no-one should hide it.

"It is absolutely helpful when people know you are not in the best place so they can help you but if people don't know they can doubt it or whatever - that is why I think a bit more transparency would be helpful."

Klopp confirmed all staff at the club's training ground had been double-vaccinated and had their booster jab or were due to and that the situation was very similar among his squad.

"Like the whole world we are concerned about it, absolutely, but we do what we can and the vaccination status of the squad is quite good and I think we got all boosted who were eligible," he added.

"There were some medical reasons why some were not allowed in that moment but they will be done in the next few days. Hopefully we can do it with the whole team."

Asked whether a player's vaccination status would have an impact on his transfer business, Klopp added: "I didn't think about it yet. I don't know. Who knows where we will be when we start signing players again?

"We sign players for many different reasons, it is one of them but I don't know yet.

"The whole vaccination thing is, for me, a massive question of solidarity, loyalty and togetherness.

"We have the chance to help not only ourselves but other people as well by getting vaccinated. There is only one answer so you do it."

Health-wise Liverpool's squad is looking the best it has for some time with just striker Divock Origi (knee), midfielder Harvey Elliott (ankle) and Nat Phillips (fractured cheekbone) out after Roberto Firmino and Joe Gomez returned to full team training in the last week.

"Bobby trained completely normally yesterday so I would say he is in contention," added Klopp.

"Curtis (Jones) had a partial first session with the team so is not far off. Timing-wise it couldn't be better to be honest.

"We all know it is a busy period and we need a big squad so to get two players back of this calibre is good news."