Chelsea vs Liverpool: Reds suffer blow as Jurgen Klopp misses game due to suspected COVID-19 case

• Klopp returned a suspected positive COVID-19 test and will miss Sunday’s game against Chelsea
• The gaffer is self-isolating after reportedly experiencing mild symptoms
• His assistant Pepijn Lijnders is set to take charge of the Reds for their trip to Stamford Bridge

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will miss his side’s crunch match against Chelsea after a suspected positive COVID-19 test.

The Merseyside football club confirmed on Friday, December 31 2021 that three players and several staff members had tested positive for the virus but Klopp declined to name them.

At this stage, Liverpool have not asked for the Chelsea game to be postponed and have no intentions of doing so.

"Jurgen Klopp will miss Liverpool's Premier League meeting with Chelsea on Sunday after returning a suspected positive Covid-19 test result,” the club said in a statement.

"The Reds manager, who reported mild symptoms ahead of the fixture, is now isolating.”

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Liverpool go into the game at Stamford Bridge third on the log, one point behind Chelsea with a game in hand.

After Manchester City’s controversial win over Arsenal on Saturday, both Liverpool and Chelsea will be gunning for a win to try to close what is now an 11 point gap at the top.

What is certain, however, is City’s lead at the top wll be reduced, somehow, after the Chelsea-Liverpool fixture.

Chelsea, Liverpool squad challenges

Both sides go into the game with their own set of unique squad problems.

For Thomas Tuchel’s side, it has strongly been hinted that Romelu Lukaku might be benched following his explosive interview that aired on Thursday.

Kai Havertz returns to the side but it is the Blues defence that will pose a challenge for Tuchel.

Reece James is certainly out with a hamstring strain, while Ben Chilwell is out for the season and Andreas Christensen continues to struggle with a back issue.

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With the issues of COVID-19 and superstars leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool are also very likely to thoroughly tweak their squad for the Chelsea game.

This will likely be the final call up for naby Keita and Sadio Mane, who will depart for AFCON after this clash.

Andy Robertson remains suspended but the defence looks sorted with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander Arnold on the side and fit to play.

Salah remains uncertainly, as the Egyptian has been tipped to be left out because of AFCON duty, while in midfield, Thiago is likely to start alongside Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.

Arsenal fall to 2-1 defeat vs Man City

In the early kick-off on Saturday, January 1, Manchester City beat 10-man Arsenal to go 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League in an incident-packed encounter at the Emirates on Saturday, January 1.

The Gunners were brilliant throughout the game, and deservedly took the lead in the first half