Liverpool are reportedly fearful that they may not be able to play Thursday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Arsenal due to further COVID-19 cases.
The Reds are dealing with absentees in the double figures after Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita left for the Africa Cup of Nations over the past couple of days.
Divock Origi, Nat Phillips, Harvey Elliott, Takumi Minamino and Thiago Alcantara are all injured, while Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip tested positive for COVID-19 before the weekend’s draw with Chelsea.
According to The Times, the Reds have now been hit by further COVID-19 cases ahead of Thursday’s match, plunging the contest at the Emirates Stadium into fresh doubt.
The report adds that Liverpool’s training on Tuesday was affected by the outbreak, but the club have not submitted a formal request to the EFL for the game to be cancelled.
As things currently stand, the first leg at the Emirates is due to go ahead as scheduled, but Liverpool are expected to hold further talks with the EFL in due course.
Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta were also self-isolating at the weekend following positive tests, but the latter is reportedly hopeful of returning to the dugout for Thursday’s game.
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