Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits there was a moment when he feared the club would be denied the chance to win their first league title in 30 years because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Reds hold a 22-point lead over Manchester City and need just two more wins to guarantee a long-awaited first Premier League triumph and a first championship since 1990.
But soon after the season was suspended in March Klopp began to worry it would never happen.
"I didn't think when we went to lockdown 'Oh my god, that is our season, we are so close', because it was not important in that moment," he said ahead of their Merseyside derby clash with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
"I became worried in the moment when people started talking about 'null and void' this season because I was like: 'Wow'.
"I really felt it physically. That would have been really, really hard. We don't expect to get it as a present so we didn't want to have a points-per-game basis so we were really happy when it was decided we could play again.
"There were moments when some people brought it up from time to time for different reasons but when it was off the table I felt quite relieved.
"If they had done points per game and we couldn't have played then we would have been champions but now we aren't and we have to play for it and that is great, that is how it should be in sports.
"And now we go for it. We don't think in our mind we are already there. It will be tough, tougher than tough, the next few weeks.
"But we will be fine and we will see what we have to celebrate and how we celebrate but these things are only important in the moment when it has finally happened and not before."
During the lockdown Liverpool's squad have been at the forefront in supporting a number of campaigns, whether it be captain Jordan Henderson taking a lead role in the Players Together initiative to raise funds for the NHS or the squad as a whole 'taking a knee' in a training session at Anfield backing the Black Lives Matter movement.
Elsewhere, other players have been notably prominent, not least Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford's successful campaign to force the government into a u-turn over free school lunches during the summer holidays.
Klopp praised all the collective efforts from Premier League players, saying they had the opportunity to be a force for change.
"Let's start with what Hendo and the players did during the lockdown: I am proud of the players but not surprised because I know they do a lot of things without really talking about it," he said.
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The five best and five worst Liverpool kits
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LIVERPOOL BEST: 5) 2018/19 third: A smart recent effort to kick-off with and a return to the all grey with red trim favoured by the great Liverpool side of the late 1980’s. A far better option than the hideous purple number New Balance used for the away kit. The triangular dark grey print on the top are a nice touch. Getty -
4) 1991/93 home: Messing with Liverpool’s traditional red home shirt is considered sacrilege and some fans dislike this shirt - but they are clearly wrong because it’s a beauty. The famous adidas three stripes coming over the shoulder and again across the shorts looks fantastic. Worn when Sunderland were defeated in the 1992 FA Cup final to earn Graeme Souness his only piece of silverware as Liverpool manager. Shutterstock -
3) 2008/09 away: A lovely silver/grey number and one to warm the hearts of Liverpool fans on sight. Famously worn when Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Co put Manchester United to the sword 4-1 at Old Trafford in 2009. Getty -
2) 2004/06 home: How could we possibly not include this famous home kit. Forever associated with one of the most famous night’s the club’s proud European history, when Rafa Benitez’s side came back from three goals down to beat AC Milan on penalties. An all-red Liverpool stunner from New Balance to help recall an unforgettable night in Istanbul. Getty -
1) 1989-1991 home: A retro classic that still does the business 30 years after it was first adorned by John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, Ian Rush and Co. Simple Adidas three stripe down the arms with fading abstract white print dotted across the shirt. Shutterstock -
WORST: 5) 1999/2000 away: Some very strong contenders here from the Merseyside club. Let’s start with this awful green, white and blue number that embarrassed the club into a new millennium. A disastrous effort from Reebok - but one that pales into insignificance when compared to the upcoming Warrior years. Allsport -
4) 2016/17 third: When will clubs learn? All neon strips are always, always, a no go zone and yet so many fall down the same strap. The colour was known as ‘Toxic Thunder’ - the first part of which was certainly true. "It's definitely an eye-catching kit,” said vice captain James Milner at its launch, confusing the word ‘catching’ with ‘damaging’. Getty -
3) 2012/13 third: Now for Liverpool’s infamous Warrior debacles. First up, this heady mix of purple, white and orange with weird patterns on the arms. As if manager Brendan Rodgers didn’t have enough to contend with in his first season in charge. Reuters -
2) 2013/14 away: Warrior were certainly on a roll by now. Looks like a perfectly acceptable white top with red trim at the top, before descending down into a pattern of random madness. Getty -
1) 2013/14 third: Three kits that seem to have been lumped together into one awful mess, for a season when Liverpool came agonisingly close to ending their title drought. Steven Gerrard might have been wearing the red home kit when he infamously slipped against Chelsea at Anfield towards the end of the season, but I bet he was thinking about this strip. Getty
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"What Marcus Rashford did was unbelievable, a little bit of a shame he had to do it as it should be natural but there was something to do and he did in in an incredible manner.
"If football is a role model for anything in life it is for equality. Everyone is exactly the same, wherever you come from absolutely the same.
"It is all about who you are not about which colour you have or which haircut you have.
"We have to stand up and do whatever we have to do and we will do 100 per cent just to solve this situation for now and the future. The past we cannot change but the future we can and we must try."
Klopp had nothing to say on Chelsea's capture of RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, despite the player being linked with a move to Anfield.
"It is funny we don't speak about transfers we potentially do and now I would speak about a transfers of Chelsea? Funny. Why should I do that?" he said. "I have nothing to say. Timo Werner is a Chelsea player for next season. That's it."
