Carabao Cup Semi-final: Liverpool have requested to postpone

Carabao Cup Semi-final: Liverpool have requested to postpone – With the rise in Covid cases in the U.K, Liverpool have also had worries as many players have been affected including their manager Jurgen Klopp who missed the game against Chelsea. According to various reports, Liverpool have requested a postponement in their semi-final fixture against Arsenal. Few hours ago they had to cancel their training sessions as they are already without many players and if more players contract the virus they will be unable to field a team to play. Follow the latest news and updates on InsideSport.IN

Carabao Cup Semi-final: Liverpool have requested to postpone their semi-final game against Arsenal after multiple COVID-19 cases

Liverpool fear they will be unable to play Thursday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal due to a Covid outbreak in their squad. Manager Jurgen Klopp tested positive last week and was forced to miss Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea while goalkeeper Alisson, defender Joel Matip and striker Roberto Firmino also returned suspected positive tests.

We 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.

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 4, 2022

Klopp would still be absent for Thursday night’s game if it were to take place and Alisson, Matip and Firmino are also expected to be ruled out. With Alisson likely to be missing once again, Liverpool would be at high risk of their game needing to be postponed if they were to lose any other goalkeepers.

The EFL, who run the Carabao Cup, say games can be postponed if teams cannot submit a team of 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper. Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders is due to lead the team again at the Emirates Stadium, with the second leg of the semi-final tie penciled in for next Thursday at Anfield.

Liverpool’s squad is already depleted by the absences of Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita to the Africa Cup of Nations. Thiago Alcantara is also out injured with a hip problem while Takumi Minamino missed the Chelsea game with a muscle issue. The Reds were also briefly without Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Curtis Jones and Thiago because of Covid at the start of December.

Carabao Cup Semi-final: Liverpool have requested to postpone their semi-final game against Arsenal after multiple COVID-19 cases

Van Dijk, Fabinho and Jones all rejoined the squad for training on Christmas Eve after their Covid-19 isolation came to an end. All three were out since missing the 3-1 win over Newcastle on December 16 having tested positive and they returned to the squad for last week’s defeat at Leicester.

Liverpool have already had one match postponed over the festive period because of Covid cases. However, on that occasion, it was an outbreak and injuries at Leeds that forced the Boxing Day game to be called off.

Liverpool were forced to cancel first-team training today after more suspected Covid-19 cases in the squad. The Reds are due to play Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/sv518kYmpn

— GOAL News (@GoalNews) January 4, 2022

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was isolating last weekend after testing positive just days before his side played Manchester City but he will be back in the dugout for the Liverpool game. The Gunners also saw young striker Eddie Nketiah test positive and he was forced to isolate for the City game.

Carabao Cup Semi-final: Liverpool have requested to postpone their semi-final game against Arsenal after multiple COVID-19 cases

Southampton’s clash with Newcastle became the 18th Premier League game to be called off because of a Covid outbreak last week, as clubs continue to row over whether injuries can be included in the number of players available.

There was some positive news on Monday though when the Premier League announced the number of new Covid cases in the top flight fell for the first time in eight weeks, with 94 in the latest round of results. A total of 14,250 tests were carried out on players and club staff between December 27 and January 2, and the 94 new positives were down on the previous week’s record of 103.

Carabao Cup Semi-final: Liverpool have requested to postpone their semi-final game against Arsenal after multiple COVID-19 cases

Football