Liverpool request postponement of EFL Cup semi-final clash with Arsenal

0
Liverpool request postponement of EFL Cup semi-final clash with Arsenal.

An escalating number of suspected positive COVID-19 cases in the Liverpool camp led to the club submitting a formal request for postponement of the EFL Cup semi-final clash against Arsenal.

The decision now lies in the hands of the EFL. Liverpool have already cancelled their Tuesday afternoon training session considering the growing Covid cases within the squad.

With the possibility of the situation getting more worsen, the club considers rescheduling Thursday’s tie against Arsenal at Emirates.

A statement on the official Liverpool website reads:

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. 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 travelling supporters to be given as much notice as possible of any potential postponement.

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.

Liverpool FC will offer a further update on the application process, as well as the resumption of training, in due course.

Earlier, the Reds missed their manager Jurgen Klopp and first teams players with the likes of Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino, and Joel Matip due to coronavirus infections before the weekend’s game against Chelsea.

Liverpool absentees ahead of Arsenal EFL Cup tie

Apart from covid absentees, Liverpool have a long list of players unavailable amid injuries and national duties.

The Reds are without the African trio of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, and Naby Keita. The trio jetted off to represent their respective nations for the AFCON competition in Cameroon.

Meanwhile, Divock Origi, Nat Phillips, Takumi Minamino, Thiago Alcantara, Adrian, and Harvey Elliott are with injury concerns.

Moreover, rising fresh covid cases in the Reds camp is a big blow for the club competing for titles.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *