Liverpool have formally asked for Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final at Arsenal to be postponed.
The Reds were forced to cancel their 4pm training session on Tuesday following a further outbreak of COVID-19.
Liverpool were already without Joel Matip, Alisson Becker and Roberto Firmino for the game at the Emirates after they all tested positive last week, while Jurgen Klopp is also isolating and missed Sunday’s draw at Chelsea.
And now a request has been lodged with the EFL in an effort to push back their last-four clash with the Gunners with Liverpool citing other availability issues linked to injuries and illnesses on top of the Covid absences.
The Reds would be without Harvey Elliott, Thiago Alcantara, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino for the game through injury, while Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita are ruled out after they flew out to Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
As well as Klopp testing positive last week, a further three first-team staff members are isolating alongside Matip, Alisson and Firmino.
A club statement read: “The Reds have formally requested to the EFL that the fixture is rescheduled after further suspected positive tests were registered among players and staff, allied to other factors impacting selection, including illness and injury.
“In response, the club halted preparations at the AXA Training Centre, meaning Tuesday’s first-team training session was cancelled.
LIVE UPDATES: Latest on the situation as Liverpool request Arsenal postponement
“Among the considerations which led to today’s application to the EFL is the need for travelling supporters to be given as much notice as possible of any potential postponement.
“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.”
Liverpool had been initially been reluctant to request a postponement and did not attempt to call off Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea following the positive tests for Matip, Firmino, Alisson and Klopp.
However, Anfield officials have now conceded that their dwindling numbers make it difficult to field a team at Arsenal.
The EFL have confirmed receipt of Liverpool's request and will now assess the situation.
In a statement, the governing body said: "The League has this evening received a request from Liverpool FC to postpone Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg versus Arsenal FC which will now be considered in accordance with the competition rules as set out at the start of the season alongside information submitted by the Club.
"We will look to confirm the League’s position as soon as possible once the circumstances have been fully reviewed."
