Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has tested positive for COVID19 as the Carabao cup semifinal against Arsenal remains a doubt.
Liverpool, formally have requested for the postponement of the game due to cases of coronavirus among the staffs and players as the training ground was shut on Tuesday.
Lijnders was in charge of the team against Chelsea in the Premier League as club manager Jurgen Klopp has been in isolation.
The assistant manager was due to host a press conference ahead of the game but was canceled due to the deadly virus.
A Liverpool statement on Wednesday said: “Liverpool Football Club can confirm Pepijn Lijnders has returned a suspected positive test for COVID-19, further impacting the club’s preparations for Thursday’s Carabao Cup tie with Arsenal.
“As an additional consequence, this morning’s scheduled press conference to preview the fixture has been cancelled.
“The assistant manager had been due to handle pre-match media duties at the AXA Training Centre in place of Jürgen Klopp, who is continuing to isolate having tested positive for the virus last week.
“However, Lijnders also recorded a positive test late on Tuesday evening, meaning he has now also gone into isolation.
“The 38-year-old had taken interim charge of Liverpool for the weekend draw at Chelsea in the absence of Klopp and had been set to continue at the helm at Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
“Lijnders’ test result comes in addition to a number of suspected positive cases among players and football staff recorded earlier on Tuesday, which forced the cancellation of the day’s scheduled training session.
“As a result of the outbreak and the suspension of preparations, as well as other illnesses and injuries recorded within the squad, the club submitted an application to the EFL for the postponement of Thursday’s tie with Arsenal, with the news of Lijnders’ positive result coming after the request was lodged.
“The outcome of this application is still pending.”
The Reds manager Jurgen Klopp and three other players, Alisson Becker, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino were forced to miss Chelsea’s game in the Premier League.
Liverpool will also be without Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Naby Keita as the three players will be representing their respective country for the AFCON.
Source: Skysports
