Liverpool will be able to parade their Premier League trophy at Anfield at the start of next season if talks between the Government and clubs keeps progressing and there is not a second spike in coronavirus cases.
Talks are ongoing to let a limited number of fans into stadia and the timeline is more optimistic than previously assumed. The main sticking point is not fans watching in the stadia but concerns about overcrowding at entrances and on public transport.
If those issues can be overcome and if the number of cases of coronavirus infections continues to fall, then there is a realistic chance of fans attending games at the start of next season in September.
But it will initially be extremely limited numbers. Clubs are concerned that opening up for just 10 per cent of capacity would incur more costs than gate receipts, meaning they would have to run at a loss.
If the environment can be managed and clubs can trial the return of fans with 20 per cent of capacity, it would be more viable.
That raises the prospect of at least some Liverpool fans celebrating their title triumph at Anfield in mid-September.
Though there are still many conditions to be met over the coming months, it is also a sign of hope for beleaguered commercial departments, Football League clubs and the National League. Most clubs have been working on the assumption that there would be no fans inside stadia until next year but it now seems there could be at least limited gate receipts before Christmas.
The return of fans is stage five of the Government’s return to elite sport.
This week the Government will confirm that the stage four conditions have been met to allow the imminent return of international sport.
That will mean Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Wolves will be able to resume their Champions League and Europa League campaigns.
Stage Four will allow teams to travel to selected safe international venues without having to quarantine either on return.