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Liverpool's cup semi-final in doubt after first-team training cancelled

It is bad news for Jurgen Klopp’s team, who suffer from an already depleted first-team panel.



Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal is in serious doubt as Covid-19 continues to affect the squad.

The Athletic reports that Tuesday’s first-team training sessions at the club’s Kirkby facility had been cancelled.

This has led to concerns that the Reds’ trip to the Emirates on Thursday may not go ahead.

The match is still scheduled to go ahead, although there is ongoing correspondence between Liverpool and the EFL.

It is bad news for Jurgen Klopp’s team, already suffering from a depleted first-team panel.

Alisson Becker, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino were all ruled out just hours before their 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Sunday after possibly contracting Covid-19.

Klopp himself missed the game at Stamford Bridge, after a suspected positive test for the virus. Three of his backroom staff were also unavailable for Sunday's game.

Meanwhile, key players Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Naby Keita have all returned to their respective national squads for the upcoming African Cup of Nations, which kicks off this Sunday.

Liverpool boss: One leg for Carabao Cup ties

Last month, Klopp joined Tottenham boss Antonio Conte in advocating for the Carabao Cup semi-finals to be played over one leg.

“I think it would be better with one game absolutely, but obviously what I say is not too important,”

“If there are two games, then we will play two games. But it would be helpful if there was only one. The draw has us at Arsenal.

"I’m fine with that, we play there and see who is better and go for it.”

But Klopp added that he has been a long-time advocate for an improvement in the fixture schedule to help players.

“I don’t just speak about player welfare this year, I have been speaking about it for six years or maybe longer,” the German added.

“If the things I say would help more, I would say it much more often. But it doesn’t help.

"The only thing I do with these messages is I create headlines. They never arrive at the right places.”

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