Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal on Thursday has been postponed due to a “severe Covid outbreak” at the Anfield club.
The first leg will now be at Anfield, on January 13, and the second, at the Emirates Stadium, on January 20, both at 7:45 p.m.
Liverpool had requested the postponement on Tuesday.
The EFL said in a statement that it had been in “regular dialogue” with the club since then “in a bid to understand whether the tie can go ahead”.
The statement continued: “Significant developments during this period have resulted in the club reporting an increasing number of Covid cases.
“Having now fully reviewed the circumstances involved, the League have agreed to Liverpool’s request after determining, albeit reluctantly, that a delay was the only option as the club seeks to mitigate the risk of infection amongst its squad and staff, as well such as ensuring that the public’s health remains protected by not traveling from Liverpool to London.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Liverpool said its training facilities would be closed for at least 48 hours due to a “rapidly increasing number” of coronavirus cases.
Lijnders took over on Sunday first division draw at Chelsea, with coach Jurgen Klopp already isolated.
Players Alisson, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino also missed the game and three other team members tested positive.
Liverpool – further strained by the departures of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita for the Africa Cup of Nations – have canceled a press conference to be led by Lijnders on Wednesday.
Following the postponement, the club said in a statement that it “would like to place on record its thanks to the EFL and Arsenal for their understanding, as well as the fans of both clubs, as we continue to navigate this challenging period.”
Liverpool host Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup third round on Sunday (2pm), while Chelsea host Tottenham in the other Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday (7:45pm GMT).
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