Crisis at Anfield as Covid-19 threatens Liverpool vs Arsenal Carabao Cup semi-final fixture

• The growing Covid-19 outbreak has put Thursday night's semi-final first leg clash in Emirates stadium at risk
• Manager Jurgen Klopp and three first-team players tested positive last week and were side-lined against Chelsea
• Liverpool now fear they will be unable to field a team in their Carabao Cup clash against Arsenal

Thursday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final fixture between Liverpool and Arsenal is under threat as Covid-19 seems to be ravaging the Anfield club.

The Daily Mail reports Liverpool fear they will be unable to play this week’s game against Arsenal due to a Covid outbreak in their squad.

Three first-team players including Allison, Joel Matip, and Roberto Firminho including manager Jurgen Klopp all tested positive for Covid-19 last week prompting all four to miss the trip to Stamford Bridge last Sunday.

Liverpool would end up dropping points in the league after battling to a 2-2 draw against Chelsea with Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah getting both goals for the Reds who lost a two-goal lead slip.

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Liverpool will be missing the services of key players in Sadio Mane, Mo’ Salah and Naby Keita who have all now joined up with their respective countries for the African Cup of Nations starting January 9th in Cameroon.

Also missing for the Reds include midfielder Thiago Alcantara, while other squad members like Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi remain doubtful to feature for the Reds.

The second leg of the League Cup tie is scheduled to take place just a week later on January 13, leaving little room for rescheduling, Talksports reports.

The EFL, who run the Carabao Cup, say games can be postponed if teams cannot submit a team of 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper.

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders is set to lead the team again if the Reds will eventually field a team to take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

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Earlier Sportsbrief had reported Mohamed Salah emerged as the joint-leading footballer to have netted against Chelsea in the Premier League after featuring for the Blues in the competition previously.

The Egypt international however joins Kevin De Bruyne as the players who have scored the most league goals (four goals) against their former side since they left Stamford Bridge.