English Premier League
More Trouble for Liverpool as another coach tests positive for covid-19 ahead of the carabao cup match
More Trouble for Liverpool as another coach tests positive for covid-19 ahead of the carabao cup semi-final match.
Liverpool now have more worries after assistant coach Pep Lijnders covid-19 result returned positive as he joins Jurgen Klopp and other Red players in isolation.
The Reds have suffered mounting concerns about the coronavirus in recent weeks, starting with several players testing positive. In fact, Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho were among the first to contract the virus.
Three more first-team players missed Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea after testing positive.
As a result of the latest outbreak in Liverpool, the Reds requested the postponement of Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal. They also canceled training Tuesday night.
However, the match against Arsenal is now in doubt, with the recent development. Liverpool deputy manager Lijnders has tested positive.
He will now observe a period of self-isolation alongside various Liverpool stars and Klopp.
Liverpool have ubsequently postponed plans for a pre-match press conference at 11 am on Wednesday. The Liverpool Echo also reports that the Reds do not have a contingency plan currently in place.
It remains to be seen if the EFL will agree to postpone Thursday’s match as they are still in discussions with Liverpool and Arsenal.
Liverpool will be without the services of midfielder Thiago Alcantara, Takumi Minamino, Nathaniel Phillips, Divock Origi, and Harvey Elliott due to injury.
Also, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Naby Keita have departed for the Africa Cup of Nations starting this weekend.
A club statement on Tuesday read: “The Reds have formally requested to the EFL that the fixture be rescheduled after further suspected positive tests were registered among players and staff, allied to other factors impacting selection, including illness and injury.
“In response, the club halted preparations at the AXA Training Centre, meaning Tuesday’s first-team training session was cancelled
“Among the considerations which led to today’s application to the EFL is the need for traveling supporters to be given as much notice as possible of any potential postponement.”
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