Liverpool have submitted a formal request to postpone Thursday's EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Arsenal due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.
The Reds lost Alisson Becker, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino to coronavirus infections before the weekend's draw with Chelsea, while manager Jurgen Klopp was also absent for the same reason.
Reports on Tuesday claimed that the Reds had suffered fresh COVID-19 concerns ahead of Thursday's encounter at the Emirates Stadium, and a formal request to postpone the game has now been lodged.
A statement on the official Liverpool website read: "Liverpool Football Club can confirm an application has been submitted for the postponement of Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final, first-leg tie with Arsenal due to an escalating number of suspected positive COVID-19 cases and player availability.
"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.
"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 FC will offer a further update on the application process, as well as the resumption of training, in due course."
The Reds are also making do without Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita during the Africa Cup of Nations, while Nat Phillips, Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino, Harvey Elliott and Thiago Alcantara are all injury concerns.
Ben Knapton
