This archive report was first published on 19 December 2021.
December 16, 2021, marked a significant shift in Liverpool's transfer policy as manager Juergen Klopp expressed his concerns about signing unvaccinated players against COVID-19.
Speaking to the media, Klopp emphasized the importance of vaccination in maintaining a healthy team environment, stating, "If a player is not vaccinated at all, he is a constant threat for all of us... From an organisational point of view, it gets really messy. If you really want to follow the protocols, it is really difficult to do it."
His comments come as the Premier League continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, with a record 42 cases reported in a week. The league has also seen 10 games postponed due to outbreaks at various clubs, including six from this weekend's fixtures.
Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard and Crystal Palace counterpart Patrick Vieira have also hinted that vaccine status might be a consideration when signing new players.
Liverpool, currently second in the Premier League with 40 points after 17 games, will face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Tottenham, seventh-placed, have not played since December 5 and had two league games postponed following a coronavirus outbreak at the club.
