Jurgen Klopp reports further Covid cases within the Liverpool squad ahead of Chelsea clash
According to Liverpool Echo, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reported more Covid cases among his first team players and staff members ahead of the Chelsea match.
The Coronavirus surge has created massive problems in the Premier League for the last month. Even though Liverpool didn’t have many issues in the early stages, new cases are beginning to emerge, providing a blow to Klopp’s intention to battle Manchester City for the title.
The Liverpool manager revealed that there are three new positive cases Coronavirus cases within his squad and more players and staff members added to the growing list of Covid issues at the club.
“We have three new COVID cases in the team and a few more in the staff. So it’s not so cool at the moment.”
Even though the former Dortmund manager didn’t reveal the names, he suggested that the infected players could be regular starters from the Liverpool squad.
“I’m not able to say who has been affected as we have to have the whole processes with proper PCR tests, but you will see the day after tomorrow on the teamsheet. It’s really clear who is affected or infected.”
Liverpool have already faced Coronavirus complications with Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcântara in recent weeks. The four players were sidelined and missed several matches following Liverpool’s clash against Newcastle United on December 16.
In the previous press conference, Klopp also suggested that one young player in the squad and a staff member returned positive tests. So, after today’s reported cases, the Covid infected player’s tally rises to eight.
Van Dijk, Fabinho, Curtis Jones have returned from isolation and made themselves available for selection. Thiago meanwhile remains sidelined because of a hip problem.
When asked whether Klopp would request a postponement of the Chelsea game, the German manager disagreed, saying that the cases are coming in a scattered manner and Reds haven’t faced an outbreak of ‘10, 15, 20‘ players.
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Klopp’s quotes indicate that the affected individuals are crucial players for Liverpool in the current campaign. Therefore, the Reds would be shorthanded against Chelsea, who have the same points as them in the Premier League table.
This match could be a massive one for both the teams as the losing side would get further away in points from leader Manchester City in the title race.
