Liverpool & Bournemouth players mocked for walking by others after handshake ban

Supporters were left bemused after watching Liverpool and Bournemouth's players eschew the traditional pre-game handshake following the Premier League ban in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Instead, audiences were left with the bizarre spectacle of Liverpool walking past their opponents without exchanging contact.

There were some exceptions, with managers Eddie Howe and Jurgen Klopp opting for a warm embrace while Holland team-mates Nathan Ake and Giorginio Wijnaldum greeted each other with an elbowshake.

Putting aside the fact the players were about to spend 90 minutes in very close proximity to each other, the Premier League felt this action was th best way to stop any potential spread.

In a statement, it said: 'The Premier League fair-play handshake will not take place between players and match officials from this weekend until further notice based on medical advice.

'Coronavirus is spread via droplets from the nose and mouth and can be transmitted on to the hands and passed on via a handshake.

'Clubs and match officials will still perform the rest of the traditional walk-out protocol ahead of each fixture.

'On entering the field of play, the two teams will continue to line up, accompanied by the Premier League music, then players from the home team will walk past their opposition without shaking their hands.'