With the Premier League season set to restart on June 17, it would seem that Liverpool are now mere weeks from wrapping up their adjourned league title.
However, despite the long, long delay, Jurgen Klopp and his squad must be encouraged to hear that their popularity hasn't dwindled since the last time they kicked a ball in anger. If anything, it actually increased.
That's according to YouGov Sport, who have used their new FootballIndex tool to poll the British public and discover just who are the nation's favourite team.
The Reds came out on top by attracting 8.3% of the public vote. Manchester United came in a distant second with 6%.
The poll was taken daily, with the scores representing an average of the previous 10 days.
In descending order, the rest of the top 10 was filled out by Chelsea (3.1%), Manchester City (2%), Arsenal (2%), Tottenham (1.8%), Wolves (1.5%), Newcastle (1.4%), Everton (1.4%) and Aston Villa (1.4%).
What is the UK's favourite football club? (Spoiler. It's
— YouGov Sport (@YouGovSport) June 4, 2020
Liverpool. But what's really interesting is how much they're beating Manchester United by.) Find out more - https://t.co/llnIipBVwO pic.twitter.com/Po2NcxVPtI
YouGov Sport are using their Football Index to track public perception of 40 British and European teams over a variety of different metrics, including most likeable, most attractive to watch, brand strength, best fan culture, etc.
Until they're actually able to lift that Premier League trophy aloft, at least Liverpool can rest assured in the knowledge that the nation is still 8% behind them.
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
Cristiano Ronaldo trials new studs
With Serie A preparing to restart soon, it might be worth keeping an eye out for Ronaldo and whether he appears to be moving any faster than usual.
The Juventus star has reportedly been spotted training with large "rugby-style" studs in his boots this week, which he hopes will afford him a sprinting advantage on the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo tests unique studs in bid to improve speed in Juventus traininghttps://t.co/AMVaTps8Zi
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) June 4, 2020
As if he wasn't quick enough already.
CR7 has other things on his mind currently, as he was pictured celebrating a special double birthday with a game of dress-up.
Matt Lucas sings with famous back four
Arsenal fan and comedian Matt Lucas was joined by four very special guests for a Gunners-themed version of his "Baked Potato Song."
Indeed, Lucas has released his song to help raise money for the NHS, with his latest rendition featuring a truly "Invincible" backing band.
Here I am singing #ThankYouBakedPotato with the greatest back four in football history. You can download the original song and buy the book in aid of #FeedNHS here https://t.co/RMWsE56s67 pic.twitter.com/F6TXMCOpIO
— realmattlucas (@RealMattLucas) June 4, 2020
Holloway has been framed
Grimsby Town manager Ian Holloway has been making the most of lockdown after using the time to master a new skill.
Manager Ian Holloway becomes self-taught picture framer in lockdownhttps://t.co/o9bUpqBy4B pic.twitter.com/upxnoKqggH
— Daily Star Sport (@DailyStar_Sport) June 3, 2020
After seeing his ambitions to become a bodybuilder (yes, really!) scuppered by the coronavirus pandemic, Holloway has instead focused on becoming a self-taught master picture framer.
"I've taught myself how to make frames. I've almost turned myself into an expert," he told the Daily Star. "I've manufactured some of my own, and you wouldn't know the difference. That's not me boasting -- other people have told me that. I've painted them, they look really good."