Liverpool request Carabao Cup match at Arsenal is postponed because of rise in Covid cases

Liverpool have made a formal request to postpone Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Arsenal because of an increase in Covid-19 cases at the club.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp missed Sunday's Premier League draw at Chelsea following a suspected positive test.

Players Alisson, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino also missed the game while three members of staff tested positive.

The Reds' squad has been further stretched by the departure of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The match at Emirates Stadium is scheduled to take place at 19:45 GMT on Thursday.

Liverpool are then due to host Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup third round on Sunday (14:00) before the second leg against Arsenal at home on 13 January.

Chelsea host Tottenham in the other Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

The latest round of Premier League testing showed a first week-by-week decrease in positive Covid tests for eight weeks.

There were 94 new cases among Premier League players and staff from a total of 14,250 tests in the seven days up to and including 2 January - down from a record 103 cases over the previous seven days.

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