Liverpool cancel training with Arsenal clash in doubt amid 'growing COVID outbreak'

The Reds are set to travel to north London on Thursday, but the cup clash is now in doubt with reports COVID-19 cases are rising in their squad.

Manager Jurgen Klopp and three first-team players missed the 2-2 draw with Chelsea after returning positive tests, and the extra challenge of the Africa Cup of Nations has seen them lose more squad members.

And now reports claim the Merseyside club have cancelled their planned 4pm trainig session on Tuesday, although their AXA Training Centre in Kirkby has remained open, with fears the game won't be able to go ahead with their list of absentees growing.

The second leg of the League Cup tie is scheduled to take place just a week later on January 13, leaving little room for rescheduling.

Klopp was already set to miss the first leg due to self-isolation rules, with Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip also in quarantine.

The start of AFCON has seen Liverpool's list of absentees increase by three with crucial duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane heading to Cameroon along with midfielder Naby Keita.

The Reds are also without Thaigo Alcantara, while squad players Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi remain doubtful.

Thiago has also already missed game time with the virus, alongside Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones.

Klopp's assistant Pep Lijnders is set to lead the team for the first leg having taken the German's spot on the touchline at Stamford Bridge, while Mikel Arteta is due to return to the Arsenal dugout after also testing positive.

The new omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has been causing havoc in English football, with 18 Premier League games postponed already this season.

However, positive tests across the division have decreased for the first time in eight weeks, with 19 cases down from the previous week's total of 103.