Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp welcomed the news that 2,000 fans will be allowed into Anfield starting from next month as a small step in the right direction on Friday.

But Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa opposed the idea, saying that fans should not be allowed back into Premier League stadiums until all clubs had been given the green light for supporters to return.

Liverpool’s game at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday will be without fans, as the new measures come in next week. Fans will be permitted to attend Liverpool’s home game with Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend.

The city of Liverpool has been placed under Tier 2 Covid-19 restrictions by the government, paving the way for a limited return of fans for the first time since March.

Klopp was asked whether having the fans back would be an advantage for his title winners.

“I said before I knew which tier Liverpool would be in that it’s not about discussing the advantage or disadvantage of this or that. It’s making small steps in the right direction. I’m happy that we can bring in 2,000 people,” Klopp said.

But Bielsa, whose side travel to Everton on Saturday, has a different opinion. “Perhaps there could be a rule that states that if fans are not allowed in all stadiums, then they should not be allowed in at all until everybody is allowed to have them in,” Bielsa said.

“It shouldn’t be about the category, or the consequences of being in a category, it should be about trying to maintain the competition as equal as possible with things that are controllable. The presence of the fans has an effect on the results.”

Liverpool can go top if they avoid defeat at Brighton and Klopp is hopeful that skipper Jordan Henderson will be available.