Why Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final trip to Arsenal is “at risk” of postponement with training session axed

Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg is reportedly at risk of being postponed.

The Daily Mail reports that there is a Covid-19 outbreak in the Reds’ camp and they fear the game might not be able to go ahead.

Background

Amid record number of coronavirus cases in the Premier League, Liverpool have had their own struggles.

For Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea, trio Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip were all absent after testing positive.

Manager Jurgen Klopp was also forced to miss the game having contracted the virus, with assistant boss Pep Lijnders taking charge.

All four are isolating and Alisson, Firmino and Matip are all unlikely to be available for the clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

The second leg is supposed to go ahead on Thursday 13 January at Anfield.

Last month, Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones were all forced to self-isolate after testing positive for Covid.

The Daily Mail reports that Liverpool’s Kirkby-based training ground remains open despite some Premier League clubs shutting theirs down in recent weeks.

However, The Athletic reports that a session scheduled for 16.00 today has been cancelled.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was not present for his side’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City on Saturday after a positive test.

He was expected to be back on the touchline for the Liverpool encounter.

Gunners striker Eddie Nketiah was also in isolation for the City defeat.

How can Arsenal vs Liverpool be postponed?

The EFL, who are in charge of the Carabao Cup, will allow matches to be cancelled if teams do not have 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper available.

Those are the same rules as the Premier League.

Liverpool now have Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita away at the African Cup of Nations. They jetted off for the tournament after the Chelsea game.

Meanwhile, the likes of Thiago, Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino and Nat Phillips are on the treatment table.

So far this season, 18 top-flight games have been cancelled.

Liverpool have yet to scrap any of their games as of yet despite having players missing with Covid.

The Reds’ Boxing Day fixture against Leeds United at Anfield was postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Elland Road side’s squad.