The EFL has postponed Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final trip to Arsenal.
Jurgen Klopp’s side made the request for Thursday’s first leg at the Emirates Stadium to be deferred due to a rapid Covid outbreak within their squad.
Three Reds players – Joel Matip, Alisson and Roberto Firmino – are all isolating as are Klopp, assistant manager Pep Lijnders and multiple backroom staff.
Anfield officials confirmed on Wednesday morning that they had taken the decision to temporarily close their AXA Training Centre due to the Covid spike.
The Kirkby base will be out of action for an initial 48-hour period, which was agreed following discussions with the relevant public health authorities.
Now the EFL has confirmed that it had granted Liverpool’s request and will reverse the order of the tie with the first leg taking place at Anfield next week.
“The EFL has been in regular dialogue with the club over the past 48 hours in an attempt to understand whether the tie could proceed,” read a statement.
“But significant developments over this period have resulted in the club reporting an ever-increasing number of Covid cases.
“Having now fully reviewed the circumstances involved, the league has accepted Liverpool’s request after determining, albeit reluctantly, that a postponement was the only option as the club looks to mitigate against the further risk of infection amongst its squad and staff alongside ensuring public health was protected by not travelling from Liverpool to London.”
Liverpool welcomed news of the EFL’s ruling, saying: “Liverpool Football Club would like to place on record its thanks to the EFL and Arsenal for their understanding, as well as supporters of both clubs, as we continue to navigate through this challenging period.”