Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders returns positive for Coronavirus

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders tests positive for Coronavirus

According to Liverpool Echo, Liverpool no. 2 Pep Lijnders has tested positive for Covid ahead of the now postponed Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal.

The Coronavirus surge has wreaked havoc in the Premier League, and Liverpool haven’t managed to avoid the crisis. The Reds dealt with the first surge in cases that affected Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones.

Even though all of them have resumed training after returning from isolation, more cases have emerged in the last week. Coupled with players already missing thanks to AFCON, it leaves the Merseysiders short-staffed ahead of the upcoming games.

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders tests positive for Coronavirus. — Pep Lijnders (R) is one of the most influential figures at Liverpool.

Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip are victims of the recent surge and have been sidelined. Ahead of the Chelsea game, news came that Jurgen Klopp had contracted the virus, which eventually pushed the Reds manager to miss the crunch Premier League clash. Lijnders was in charge of that match which ended in a disappointing 2-2 draw for the visitors.

Now, it is believed that the Dutchman too has tested positive for the Coronavirus and has since isolated. With the Reds no 1 and no. 2 in isolation, it’s still uncertain who will take charge of the team in the coming days.

Liverpool were scheduled to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final tie on Friday. However, the Reds were handed a reprieve when the EFL agreed to their request to postpone the tie.

Thiago Alcantara, Takumi Minamino, Divock Origi, Nat Phillips and Harvey Elliott has remained sidelined due to injury concerns. Furthermore, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have flown out to Cameroon to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations. On top of that comes the Covid concerns.

So Reds could be without several key players and two of the leading figures on the touchline for the upcoming fixtures. Just what the immediate future holds for us remains to be seen.

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Pep Lijnders played an influential role at Stamford Bridge. Even though the Dutch manager couldn’t scintillate the three points, it’s fair to say his presence didn’t allow to feel the absence of Jurgen Klopp. However, the Reds squad would find them in hot waters without his services.