Gerard Houllier insists Liverpool ‘deserve to be champions’ and hopes 2019/20 Premier League season is resumed

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is desperate for the 2019/20 season to be resumed so the Reds can ‘deservedly’ be crowned Premier League champions.

The future of the current campaign remains uncertain with the UK in lockdown for another three weeks – at least – to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

2

It means any proposals on how to complete the season are for now just that – proposals – with suggestions that the Premier League could end the campaign at ‘hub’ venues around the country, such as Wembley Stadium, to minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19.

However, there are plenty of doubts over whether the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two seasons can be allowed to continue amid the heath crisis.

And Houllier says he’d be disappointed if the season was cancelled, with Liverpool just six points away from being confirmed league winners for the first time since 1990.

“I hope they will restart the competition, because Liverpool are just two wins away from a very long-awaited and deserved title,” the former Reds boss told talkSPORT host Jim White.

“I would be very disappointed if the season ends now.

“Too many times have Liverpool finished second, so now they really deserve it - even last year they finished with 97 points with one defeat.”

2

If the season is resumed it will almost certainly be played behind closed doors, and there are even claims the 2020/21 campaign could also begin with games taking place in empty stadiums, with mass gatherings unlikely to be allowed until a vaccine for COVID-19 is found.

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan told talkSPORT that he believes ‘there is a distinct possibility that football could become a spectatorless sport for the next TWELVE MONTHS’.

Jim White co-host Danny Murphy, who played under Houllier in a Reds shirt, said: “It’s going to be a big shame.

“We know the passion of the Liverpool supporters and if they can’t be in the stadium to see them win it, although we understand these are unprecedented times and the health of people comes first, it would be a shame that for the first time they’re going to win the title in 30 years the fans are probably not going to be in the stadium to witness it.”

But Houllier has suggested Liverpool should be allowed to invite their supporters to celebrate Liverpool’s title win inside Anfield, claiming it is ‘better to let them in the stadium’ than party on the streets.

“Even if we play games behind closed doors, there will be great frustration for Liverpool fans,” added the Frenchman.

“But I can’t see them not being out in the street anyway just waiting for the players, so maybe it’s better to let them in the stadium.”