Liverpool-Atletico game played a role in the rise of coronavirus cases

CAIRO-3 April 2020: Liverpool director of public health Matthew Ashton believes that Liverpool clash against Atletico Madrid played a role in the rise of coronavirus cases in the city.

"It was not the right decision to stage the match. People don't make bad decisions on purpose -- perhaps the seriousness of the situation wasn't being understood across government at that time." Ashton told the Guardian.

The game was played on 11 March at Anfield stadium in Liverpool and ended with a 3_2 win for the visitors, who knocked the defending champions, Liverpool, out of the competition.

Ashton added, "Although we will never know, the Atletico Madrid game could have been one of the cultural events and gatherings that influenced the rise in Liverpool."

UEFA Champions League games were postponed until further notice amid the spread of coronavirus.