Liverpool is all set to play their final group match of the Champions League against FC Midtjylland at Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion, as confirmed by the German club on Thursday.
It is all because of the travel restrictions for players returning to the United Kingdom that the match had to be moved to another country.
“The reason for the change in venue is the UK Coronavirus regulations, which dictate that people returning from Denmark must spend 14 days in quarantine,” said the Dortmund statement.
“Instead, Midtjylland and Liverpool — led by former BVB coach Jurgen Klopp — will now go head-to-head in Dortmund.”
The city of Dortmund confirmed that it has been “selected as the host city” for the Dec. 9 Champions League match. They also stated the match will be played in empty stadium as it is not allowed across Germany since early November.
However, the news hasn’t been confirmed by Liverpool, FC Midtjylland and UEFA about the change of venue.
Earlier this month, the English FA was permitted to hold their final UEFA Nations League group match versus Iceland at Wembley after a request due to the existing COVID-19 travel norms.
In early November, the UK government announced that all who “are returning to the UK directly or indirectly from Denmark will need to self-isolate along with all other members of their household until two weeks have passed.”
Jurgen Klopp had spent seven highly successful years at Dortmund where he secured two Bundesliga titles, one German Cup and made it to the 2013 Champions League final.
After taking the reins of Liverpool in October 2015, he returned for a Europa League match in 2016. In 2019 he was a star guest when Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke unveiled his biography at the stadium.