Liverpool assistant coach Vitor Matos has spoken to the Portuguese media today, in a good interview with Rádio Renascença.
The 32-year-old brought some details on how the Reds have been dealing with the Coronavirus crisis, and plans for the Premier League to end the season.
“Football is no exception and, as such, it will always have to be subject to governmental guidelines and regulations. There’s a set of solutions on the table for the league to continue and, in that sense, the Government, the Premier League and the club have been holding talks to seek the best solution,” Vitor Matos told Rádio Renascença’s Bola Branca.
“What we have to understand is that we live in a context of a unique moment, not only for football but also for the whole society in general. Like other professions have had and will have to adjust to ensure the wellbeing of the players, football will also have to do so. If we think that this will be the best solution to do so, we will all have to accept it and adjust for a certain period of time.”
Even though the Reds were only two wins away from winning the Premier League title, Vitor Matos says this shouldn’t be the big concern for now, as they can think of the trophy later.
“When what is involved is something as serious as the health of all of us and the wellbeing of a country, we honestly don’t even have room for other feelings. We are proud of the journey and process that we have been developing, and we know that football will return. And when we return we want to finish the story we started, and we’ll play with all our identity and passion with which we have done so far.”
Instead of returning to Portugal, the coach has chosen to stay in Liverpool. He’s given a few details of how the squad and the staff have been dealing with the break.
“In our specific case we are still in confinement. As a result of this, we decided to create a weekly training pattern adjusted in individual and general terms for all players. At the same time, online sessions for the entire squad. The logic was to maintain training habits with varied activities for the players to always remain motivated.”
Matos has also talked about how hard it’s been to be far away from his relatives who live in Portugal.
“We’ve been in confinement for six weeks. We have already passed that period of adaptation and initial adjustment. It’s a period that allowed us to spend time with the family, which on a daily basis isn’t always possible, but at the same time we went through the moment with some feelings of anguish and concern, especially with our family members who are in Portugal. And at the same time with the responsibility that this situation demands of us. Nowadays, with better defined family routines, it allows more time to reflect and for us to know what we like and dislike, which is often not possible.”
Finally, the coach has also claimed he’s expecting some changes in football once the pandemic comes to an end.
“Never and always are words that, even for the present moment that we live, must be put into perspective. Football, like society, will undoubtedly have to reinvent itself and re-educate itself on many issues. But we all have the hope and the strength to want to see football again with passion and the joy that characterises it, and to see the filled stadiums that guarantee the emotion for our profession.”
