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'It could have been one event that influenced the rise here': Liverpool's public health director admits it was wrong for Reds' Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid to go ahead amid coronavirus outbreak

Liverpool council's director of public health Matthew Ashton has suggested the rise in coronavirus cases in the city may be influenced by the decision to allow the Reds' Champions League match against Atletico Madrid to take place.

There were just 14 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Liverpool on Friday, March 20, but that number has swelled to 309 less than two weeks later.

MPs in Liverpool and former England striker Gary Lineker were among those questioning the wisdom of allowing 3,000 supporters from coronavirus-hit Madrid to travel for the last-16 second-leg fixture at Anfield on March 11.