First Jürgen Klopp sent a pleading message to the bosses of the Premier League, then the coach of Liverpool FC got a quiet Christmas.

Due to a corona outbreak among opponents Leeds United, the Premier League canceled the game on Thursday's traditional Boxing Day at short notice, and Wolverhampton's game against Watford also fell victim to the virus.

Instead of the spectacle on the sold-out Anfield Road, Klopp can now enjoy a few unplanned contemplative days.

The day before, the world coach had warned to straighten out the seemingly insane game plan with games on December 26th and 28th due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Even in normal times I don't think it's right. In the current situation, insisting on playing games within two days feels wrong, "said Klopp and became even clearer:" Every team has had to do with Covid. We cannot put our hands in front of our eyes and pretend the situation is normal. It isn’t. She is extraordinary. And on that basis I beg those in power to change something. "

Over 100,000 corona cases per day and numerous stars in quarantine instead of on the field have so far left the world's richest football league unimpressed. Of course, she didn't want to let a temporary phenomenon like a deadly pandemic spoil her traditional party on Boxing Day. A whopping nine games in sold-out stadiums were scheduled for December 26th. Now there are only seven left as Leeds and Watford are short of players. But the wild hunt through the holidays continues two days later.

On Monday it had already become clear that the coronavirus and the new Omikron variant did not want to be held back when all clubs in the league spoke out at a crisis summit against postponing the Boxing Day spectacle.

And, mind you, under the fresh impression that six out of ten games had to be canceled due to corona cases the previous weekend.

“We test ourselves every day.

And every day you may not even make it to the office.

It's a lottery, ”said coach Thomas Tuchel.

At his FC Chelsea, the corona virus in Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku paralyzed the entire storm.

It could be available again on Boxing Day at Aston Villa.

The coach duel with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has to serve almost as a top game in the absence of other constellations. League leaders Manchester City welcomes Leicester, and Ralf Rangnick with Manchester United will not be challenged until Monday at Newcastle after a 16-day Corona break.

The problem with the Premier League is that given the tight schedule, they just don't know where to move the games.

“I don't have a solution for the league either,” admitted Tuchel.

Politics is not in the way of a full game plan with full stadiums for the time being.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in the middle of the week that the situation was still too unclear for new corona restrictions.

That means: nothing happens until December 27th.

And on January 2nd, the game between Chelsea and Liverpool will be allowed to stand for the first time in 28 years.

No restrictions in the stadiums

But Boxing Day is just around the corner. So far, only two games have been canceled in the Premier League - in which 16 percent of the professionals are unvaccinated. However, the deeper you go, the darker it gets. In the second-rate championship there have been three cancellations so far, in League One four, and in League Two there are already half of all games with six cancellations. As in the League Cup, there are no restrictions for the stadiums during the week. If you have been vaccinated, recovered or tested, you are allowed in. Without a mask in place. The same applies to indoor events such as the Darts World Cup, which is currently underway, where people sway and sing close to each other in the Alexandra Palace in London every evening.

Incidentally, where you can make your own laws, you don't obey Prime Minister Johnson.

Only 500 fans per game are allowed in Scotland.

In addition, there will be a winter break in the north of Great Britain after the Boxing Day matchday.

An option that will only be available in England in a few weeks.

The ball will rest there from 23 January to 7 February around an international break.