Liverpool have confirmed they have temporarily closed their AXA Training Centre due to a “rapidly growing” number of positive Covid-19 cases.
The Reds have already requested that Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi final is postponed, with Wednesday’s planned press conference with Pep Lijnders also cancelled after the coach returned a positive test.
A statement on the club’s official site reads: “ Liverpool Football Club can confirm the first-team training facilities at AXA Training Centre have been temporarily closed due to a rapidly growing number of suspected positive COVID-19 cases.
“The Reds acted to suspend operations within the facility today after the latest round of testing revealed multiple new suspected positives.
“The decision was made after consultation with the relevant Public Health authority.
“The new cases are in addition to those recorded on Monday and Tuesday morning.
“Among the multiple players and staff who tested positive in the latest round was Pepijn Lijnders, resulting in the cancellation of the pre-Arsenal press conference he had been due to host this morning.
“The club has lodged an application with the EFL for the postponement of Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final, first-leg tie with the Gunners at Emirates Stadium. The outcome of that submission is currently pending.
“We will offer a further update on the reopening of the training centre in due course.”
According to reports, the EFL have yet to decide whether to cancel the semi final with the Gunners, with the request lodged on the grounds of player availability.
Liverpool added: “With no prospect of the current situation improving ahead of Thursday’s fixture and the potential for it to worsen, the club considers it both prudent and reasonable to ask for the fixture to be rescheduled.”
Lijnders was expected to handle media duties on the eve of the semi final, having stepped in for Jurgen Klopp who himself was forced to isolate over the weekend.
Klopp’s assistant was in the technical area for the draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and has largely been the face of the Reds’ Carabao Cup campaign regardless.
Liverpool have been heavily affected by Covid-19 positives this season and have had to cope with a number of key absentees on the playing side, with Roberto Firmino, Alisson and Joel Matip all missing out against Chelsea.
