“For me, health is the most important thing, but if I was a player, I would be happy to play.“
Those were the words of former Newcastle and Liverpool defender Jose Enrique.
The former Spanish left-back says he would be keen to return to action if he was still a footballer, but also admitted that there's no certainty it can be 100 percent safe at this point in time.
Liverpool are currently 25 atop the English topflight table and need only two wins to secure a first league title in 30 years.
"For me, health is the most important thing," the Spaniard, who spent five years at Anfield told Sky Sports News. "But if I was a player, I would be happy to play.
"Obviously, everyone will say you're not playing anymore, and it's easy to say - but I believe I would do. Other ex-players agree with me, and I believe the players will be more controlled.
"They will be having tests almost every day. If something happens and a player gets coronavirus, they are already planning for how they are going to handle it."
Enrique continued: "It's not just the players who are suffering, it's the clubs who are suffering economically, the fans who are suffering mentally if they can't support and watch the team.
"In my opinion, I believe they should do everything to restart the game. But if things don't go well, and you have to stop it again, then fair enough.
"It's a very difficult situation, but I think they should give it a go and see where it goes."
The 34-year-old added: "They can assure you it will be as safe as possible - but they can't assure you it will be 100 percent safe.
"You can get it anywhere - in the supermarket, on the street, even if you keep your distance. It's everywhere.
"But they can do as many tests as possible, before and after games - these players have families as well - you go home and have your kids there. So it's not just your health, but also your family.
"So try to get as many tests as possible, and if they have it, go in to quarantine for two weeks. I believe that's the way to go. If I was a player, and they can assure me of this, I would be happy to play."
Enrique believes it is vital for the Premier League to get going again, but not just to confirm a league title win for Jurgen Klopp's side.
"You know how fans are - if they give us the league now, they will say you really didn't win it!" he said. "I can't wait for them to lift the title.
"Whoever doesn't recognise they deserve to win the title, they don't understand football. They've been completely different to every single team in the league, not just in terms of points, but the way they have played.
"But it's about other teams as well - who finishes in the Champions League, who goes in the Europa League, relegation and promotion. We're talking about so much
money, and so many feelings of the people.
"So I believe we should finish it, so it's fair for everyone."
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