Liverpool explore German technology that could get fans back into Anfield next season

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool are reportedly exploring ways to get fans back into Anfield next season, with Jurgen Klopp taking a personal interest in German technology which has been trialled at his former club Borussia Dortmund.

The Athletic report that the Reds will hold talks with the Berlin-based G2K this week, with their artificial intelligence system having already been tested in Bundesliga stadiums.

The German top-flight are hoping to be able to get some fans back into stadiums for the beginning of the 2020/21 season, with Dortmund hoping that 30 per cent of fans could attend matches at their 81,365-capacity Signal Iduna Park with social distancing guidelines adhered to.

G2K's system reportedly includes temperature and mask checks as well as computerised crowd management.

The software specialist have provided similar technology for transport hubs and shopping centres as they seek to get back to something like normality amid the coronavirus crisis.

The system was used during Dortmund's final match of the Bundesliga season at home to Hoffenheim on June 27, when an automated temperature check was carried out on media and club staff members.

German clubs are hopeful of being able to kick off next season with some fans in stadiums, with the exact percentage set to vary from club to club due to stadium size and the rate of infection in local areas.

The Premier League have been keeping a close eye on progress in Germany over getting fans back to games, just as they did when the Bundesliga became the first major division in Europe to restart back in May.

Liverpool would need approval from the Premier League and government before they could allow fans back into Anfield, but the new Premier League champions are hopeful that they could at least get some supporters back into their stadium in the early part of next season.