EFL Carabao Cup 2022: Arsenal v Liverpool postponed because of severe Covid outbreak at Anfield
Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Arsenal on Thursday has been postponed because of a "severe outbreak of Covid" at the Anfield club.
The Reds temporarily closed their first-team training centre on Wednesday after assistant manager Pep Lijnders became the latest to have to isolate.
The first leg will now be at Anfield on 13 January and the second at Emirates Stadium on 20 January, both at 19:45.
Liverpool had requested the postponement on Tuesday.
In a statement, the EFL said they ‘reluctantly accepted’ Liverpool’s request to delay the match due to their surge in COVID cases, while the Reds thanked the governing body and opponents Arsenal for their understanding.
Official statement on Arsenal v Liverpool Carabao cup semi postponed .
“The EFL has been in regular dialogue with the Club over the past 48 hours in an attempt to understand whether the tie could proceed but significant developments over this period have resulted in the Club reporting an ever-increasing number of COVID cases.
“Having now fully reviewed the circumstances involved, the League has accepted Liverpool’s request after determining, albeit reluctantly, that a postponement was the only option as the club looks to mitigate against the further risk of infection amongst its squad and staff alongside ensuring public health was protected by not travelling from Liverpool to London."
What's Next Arsenal v Liverpool Carabao cup Semi Final Fixture.? reschedule date, kick-off times..
As a result, the first leg of the last-four encounter will now be played at Anfield on Thursday January 13, kick-off 7.45pm GMT. The return will take place at Emirates Stadium on Thursday January 20, also getting under way at 7.45pm.
The Reds are also missing Thiago Alcantara, Takumi Minamino, Nat Phillips and Harvey Elliott through injury, while Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita are now at the Africa Cup of Nations.
__________
Post a Comment