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Questions are being asked about why thousands of Atletico Madrid fans are being allowed to travel to Liverpool from the Spanish capital, where there has been a serious outbreak of the coronavirus.

It is believed that around 3,000 fans from Madrid will either already be in Liverpool or will be arriving today for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash with the Reds at Anfield.

As things stand, the match will go ahead and will be played in front of a full house at Anfield, although Liverpool FC says it is monitoring the situation and is taking extra precautions.

But there are concerns about the health implications of allowing thousands of Madrid fans to travel across Europe and into Liverpool.

The Spanish city has seen a major outbreak of the virus - of Spain's 1646 confirmed cases, a huge 782 of them have been in the Madrid region, with 35 deaths.

Schools and colleges in the city have been shut down and all public events involving more than 1,000 people have also been banned with all La Liga games across the country now being played behind closed doors.

So as the Daily Mirror's northern football correspondent David Maddock put it on twitter: "That means it is illegal for Atletico Madrid fans to watch their own team in their own stadium, or travel to upcoming games in Bilbao or Pamplona, for fear of the very real risk of spreading the deadly virus and creating a pandemic.

"And yet those same fans (thousands of them) ARE allowed to travel to the UK for the CL game at Anfield - through several major transport hubs - and mingle with the population of Liverpool over several days, without tests or restrictions."

He added: "They will also be allowed to enter the Anfield stadium, where a crowd of more than 54,000 is expected. LFC are understandably concerned and uncomfortable with the situation."

As Maddock - who described the government's decision to let the game go ahead as normal as 'insanity' - pointed out, Liverpool's hands are tied without clear advice from the government and can do nothing to stop the free movement of football fans under current legislation.

Other fans on twitter agreed.

Mark Adkins said: "Spain has 1,646 confirmed cases of Covid-19. 782 of these are in the Madrid region. Tomorrow night large numbers of Atletico Madrid fans will arrive at Anfield for their Champions League match against Liverpool. This is how coronavirus spreads."

Henry Smith added: "On Spanish radio right now they are talking about how absurd it is that Madrid has gone into lockdown, no schools, colleges etc open. All La Liga games for 14 days to be played behind closed doors, yet 3000 Atlético fans will be allowed into Anfield tomorrow."

Last night it was announced that Manchester City's Premier League match with Arsenal, due to take place this evening at the Etihad Stadium, has been postponed after it was revealed that a number of Gunners' players had recently met Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has since tested positive for coronavirus.

From LFC's perspective, a statement was issued last night urging fans attending tonight's match to take extra precautions.

A spokesman said: "Liverpool Football Club continues to monitor and implement the government’s advice on the coronavirus outbreak and ahead of our Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening, we are reminding everyone attending the game of good hygiene practices.

"There will be hand sanitisers and/or antibacterial handwash in all the washrooms at Anfield as well as posters reinforcing the official medical advice for everyone to take personal responsibility for excellent personal hygiene.

"We are also taking matchday precautionary measures and players will continue to avoid handshakes prior to kick-off. UEFA will continue to use mascots for this game but they will line up to welcome the players onto the pitch and avoid any direct contact.

"Any supporter displaying symptoms that are consistent with coronavirus should ensure they familiarise themselves with the chief medical officer’s advice on self-isolation.

"We will continue to take the best advice from the relevant authorities and will update supporters with any further developments."

The ECHO has contacted the Department of Media, Culture and Sport and UEFA for responses.