Jurgen Klopp will miss Liverpool's trip to Chelsea on Sunday after testing positive for Covid with assistant Pep Lijnders set to take charge in west London.
The clash has been billed as a potentially decisive one in the Premier League title race with both sides hoping to topple Manchester City from their perch.
Prior to the weekend, Pep Guardiola's men sat eight points clear of Chelsea and nine ahead of Liverpool and the pressure was increased following their dramatic 2-1 win against Arsenal.
Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 loss to Leicester City in midweek, a day before Chelsea were pegged back late on against Brighton.
"Jürgen Klopp will miss Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea on Sunday after returning a suspected positive COVID-19 test result," a statement read on the club's official website.
"The Reds manager, who reported mild symptoms ahead of the fixture, is now isolating.
"Assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders will therefore lead the team for the 4.30pm GMT kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
"Testing of the entire first-team set-up has revealed no further positive cases within the playing squad in addition to the three confirmed by Klopp on Friday.
"Three backroom staff members have returned suspected positive results, however."
The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Kai Havertz gave Thomas Tuchel's side the lead with a great header only for Mo Salah to level the scores before half-time after a controversial penalty that also saw Reece James sent off.
