Liverpool Covid update on Virgil van Dijk, Thiago and Fabinho as Jurgen Klopp discusses Leeds postponement

Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Leicester on Tuesday (20.00).

Here are the key talking points from the Reds manager’s press conference.

Covid update

Like many other Premier League clubs, Liverpool have been impacted by the spiking number of Covid cases.

Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara all tested positive and were forced to isolate.

However, Klopp has confirmed they’ll available to face Leicester.

He said: “All of the boys who had Covid are back. That means Fab, Virgil, Curtis and Thiago - he was the latest [to test positive] and trained with the team for the first time yesterday.

“We have one young player and two staff isolating.

“We come in, do the testing, stand in front of the building and hope you’re fine. Our players and two staff guys had no symptoms means it can hit everybody so that makes it really tricky.

“We just try to get through it, we hope and pray everything will be fine in the moment and the long term.”

Boxing Day postponement

Liverpool’s clash with Leeds United on Boxing Day was postponed because of coronavirus cases in the Elland Road side’s camp.

Klopp has been vocal about the Reds’ hectic festive schedule playing two matches in three days.

The German has no problem with the tradition December 26 fixture but cramming another game in so soon is something that he’s not comfortable with.

“I’ve said before the situation should not be like this,” said Klopp.

“So many people think it’s tradition. We wanted to play on Boxing Day, no problem at all but couldn’t because of the situation at Leeds.

“Playing then on 26 December and 28 December is just not right. I say that because it’s true.

“You can find solutions for that. The 26th and 29th is not a problem, some teams are doing that, Man Utd play tonight and they won’t play on the 29th. It would just help the players, even without Covid.

“Some teams have a proper Covid problem and then you rush players through two games. You need luck and you shouldn’t in these moments.

“We all want to play on Boxing Day, it’s a great fixture, everyone loves it but after that we won’t stop discussing because if we don’t it just stays like this.

“The players need help and help needs to come from other areas.”

AFCON departures

Liverpool will be without Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita for a period next month as they head off to the African Cup of Nations.

However, after some doubt, the trio have been given the green light to play for the Reds in their crunch game at title rivals Chelsea on January 2.

Klopp is thankful all three will be available and not been told to report for international duty sooner.

He said: “We’re really thankful for that. I think it’s right, we needed help and all the clubs got the help that they needed.

“It’s good the boys can play this game but, after that, they have to go.”