Liverpool have applied for the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal be postponed following a further number of Covid-19 cases at the club.
The game is due to take place in London on Thursday night.
The first-team's training session did not go ahead on Tuesday afternoon.
Roberto Firmino, Alisson and Joel Matip all missed Liverpool's Premier League draw with Chelsea on Sunday after testing positive for the virus and will not be cleared to return in time for Thursday game.
Jurgen Klopp himself would also not be at the game as he continues his isolation period, along with three of his backroom staff.
As well as this, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita have all departed for the Africa Cup of Nations.
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
A statement from Liverpool in relation to the application said;
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.
