Liverpool has officially asked that tomorrow night’s EFL Cup match against Arsenal be postponed, potentially causing additional scheduling turmoil as the campaign nears its conclusion.
Jurgen Klopp’s side was set to play their semi-final first leg away to Arsenal this week but have been coping with a Covid epidemic in recent days, with Klopp, Alisson, Roberto Firmino, and Joel Matip all missing Sunday’s Premier League tie at Chelsea due to suspected positive tests.
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Klopp also has Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Naby Keita on international duty with their respective teams in the African Cup of Nations, although the club has requested a delay due to sickness and injury. Liverpool has seen an increase in coronavirus infections and was obliged to cancel first-team training yesterday at its Kirkby facility.
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm an application has been submitted for the postponement of Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final, first-leg tie with Arsenal due to an escalating number of suspected positive Covid-19 cases and player availability.
“The Reds have formally requested to the EFL that the fixture is rescheduled after further suspected positive tests were registered among players and staff, allied to other factors impacting selection, including illness and injury. With no prospect of the current situation improving ahead of Thursday’s fixture and the potential for it to worsen, the club considers it both prudent and reasonable to ask for the fixture to be rescheduled.” A club statement