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Liverpool request Carabao postponement over Covid cases

Liverpool have requested the postponement of their EFL Cup semi-final
Liverpool have requested the postponement of their EFL Cup semi-final

Liverpool have requested the postponement of Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal after further cases of Covid-19 within the squad forced the cancellation of training on Tuesday.

Liverpool played Sunday's 2-2 draw at Chelsea without manager Jurgen Klopp and three players - Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip - after they returned positive tests for coronavirus last week.

A further round of testing found more cases within the first-team bubble, forcing the cancellation of Tuesday afternoon's scheduled training session and raising question marks over both Thursday's match against Arsenal and Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Shrewsbury.

The Covid outbreak within the squad comes at a time when Liverpool have lost Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane to Africa Cup of Nations duty, while Thiago Alcantara has been out with a thigh injury.

A club statement 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."

Liverpool were without a total of nine players for the match at Chelsea through illness and injury, and have subsequently lost Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane to Africa Cup of Nations duty.

The request for a postponement will also raise a question over Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie at home to Shrewsbury.

The return leg of the semi-final at Anfield is scheduled for 13 January.

Liverpool are awaiting a response from the EFL.

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