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Football

01st Jan 2022

Jurgen Klopp to miss Liverpool Chelsea clash due to suspected positive Covid test

Callum Boyle

Liverpool confirmed that Klopp won’t be in the dugout

Jurgen Klopp will miss Liverpool’s crucial Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday after the club revealed he had a suspected positive test for Covid-19.

Klopp is currently isolating and will watch from home whilst assistant Pepijn Lijnders will take charge of the side at Stamford Bridge.

It follows after the Liverpool boss revealed in his press conference on Friday that three other members of staff had tested positive, however Klopp refused to name trio as a result of them awaiting confirmation from a PCR test.

In a statement from the club, they said: “Jurgen Klopp will miss Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea on Sunday after returning a suspected positive Covid-19 test result.

“The Reds manager, who reported mild symptoms ahead of the fixture, is now isolating.

“Assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders will therefore lead the team for the 4.30pm GMT kick-off at Stamford Bridge.

“Testing of the entire first-team set-up has revealed no further positive cases within the playing squad in addition to the three confirmed by Klopp on Friday.

“Three backroom staff members have returned suspected positive results, however.”

The Reds are looking to return to winning ways after they suffered a surprise defeat to Leicester City in midweek and with Manchester City winning late on away at Arsenal on New Year’s Day, the game is a must-win for both Liverpool and Chelsea to avoid losing ground in the title race.

As it stands, Liverpool are currently third in the table and are 12 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side, but do have two games in hand on the league leaders.

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