Liverpool have confirmed that assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders has returned a suspected positive Covid-19 test ahead of their trip to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup tomorrow.
The assistant manager had been due to handle pre-match media duties at the AXA Training Centre in place of Jurgen Klopp, who is continuing to isolate having tested positive for the virus last week.
However, Lijnders recorded a positive test late on Tuesday evening, meaning he has now also gone into isolation.
A statement on Liverpoolfc.com read: "Liverpool Football Club can confirm Pepijn Lijnders has returned a suspected positive test for COVID-19, further impacting the club's preparations for Thursday's Carabao Cup tie with Arsenal."
The 38-year-old took interim charge of Liverpool for the weekend draw at Chelsea in the absence of Klopp and had been set to continue at the helm at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
His positive test result comes in addition to a number of suspected positive cases among Liverpool's players and staff which were recorded earlier on Tuesday.
Liverpool later formally submitted an application to the EFL that the game be postponed as a result of their recent outbreak.
The EFL are still considering this formal request and assessing it in accordance with the competition's rules. An outcome is still pending.
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta returned to the Gunners' London Colney training ground today and is set for media duties this afternoon.
The Spaniard missed the Gunners' 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday as he was recovering from his own bout with Covid.
