Jurgen Klopp rejected suggestions that the inevitable Premier League title could be denied by the coronavirus.
The sport has been hit hard by the deadly COVID-19 epidemic, with Italian national football and Six Nations matches postponed.
Thirteen other cases were confirmed in the UK on Sunday, bringing the total to 36, while nearly 90,000 people caught the virus worldwide.
A widespread epidemic in the UK is believed to be likely – and Premier League clubs would prepare to meet and decide what would happen if the national season were canceled.
Liverpool, despite losing for the first time in 44 games at Watford on Saturday, need only four more wins in their ten remaining games to claim the title.
And Klopp urged Liverpool fans not to get caught up in the worst scenarios.
“I can’t believe Liverpool fans are thinking about it,” said Klopp at his press conference on Monday.
“If we delete the season, who plays the Champions League next season and all that.
“It’s a great story, but Liverpool fans aren’t foolish enough to believe these things.”
Klopp’s men take a league break to face Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge Tuesday night – with the full commentary of the LIVE match on talkSPORT!
Here’s everything the Reds boss had to say about his team before the shock…
Klopp on Dejan Lovren’s critics
“It is not fair, but it is the world. If someone blames Dejan Lovren for our defeat, I cannot help these people.
“Often in my life I talk to people and they know less about football than I do, it’s okay because I’m a well-paid Premier League manager and I should know more than most people.
“But at this level, I cannot discuss it.”
Klopp on Liverpool’s unbeaten run
“Could we have done better?” Of course. Something went wrong and we are lucky to react.
“Everyone is fighting for everything. This is the situation now. It’s over, now we can focus on football.
“It didn’t distract us, but no one can tell us how to deal with it.
“There will always be a time when it could happen, now it happens.”
Klopp on Neil Critchley joining Blackpool
“Congratulations to Blackpool and Neil! It’s a great thing, a great opportunity and a challenge for him.
“He wanted to take it, he asked and we said ‘yes of course’. It shows that you may be able to make your way as a youth coach.
“We want to have the best people in each department, including the coaches, and we have requests from other clubs.
“I hope everything will be fine for him.”
Klopp on injuries
“No new injury issues. James Milner is back, so is Joe Gomez. The others don’t. “
Klopp on Chelsea
“[Frank Lampard is doing] a great job from what i can see. I really like the project. Having so many great young players is good.
“Fighting for the Champions League places means you have to beat three or four teams with similar possibilities and circumstances – it’s not that easy.”
Klopp on team selection against Chelsea
“We want to move on, this is the plan. I hope this is what everyone will see.
“It is not a question of loyalty. They are our boys, they will be involved in the celebrations.
“Will they [youngsters who beat Shrewsbury] be involved tomorrow? I do not know.”