Liverpool told 'tough' and play U23s against Arsenal despite COVID outbreak

The Reds are currently suffering with a COVID-19 outbreak which has caused them to ask the EFL to postpone Thursday's tie with the Gunners, with assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders the latest to test positive for the virus.

Lijnders took charge of the team in their 2-2 draw with Chelsea after Jurgen Klopp tested positive, and was due to address the media ahead of the match - which is yet to be postponed.

But, after training was cancelled on Tuesday, Wednesday's pre-match press conference was also then cancelled with Lijnders forced into isolation, too, with Klopp's No.2 now unable to lead the side for the cup clash.

The club released a statement saying: "Liverpool Football Club can confirm Pepijn Lijnders has returned a suspected positive test for COVID-19, further impacting the club's preparations for Thursday's Carabao Cup tie with Arsenal.

"As an additional consequence, this morning's scheduled press conference to preview the fixture has been cancelled.

"The assistant manager had been due to handle pre-match media duties at the AXA Training Centre in place of Jurgen Klopp, who is continuing to isolate having tested positive for the virus last week.

"However, Lijnders recorded a positive test late on Tuesday evening, meaning he has now also gone into isolation.

"Lijnders' test result comes in addition to a number of suspected positive cases among players and football staff recorded earlier on Tuesday, which forced the cancellation of the day's scheduled training session.

"As a result of the outbreak and the suspension of preparations, as well as other illnesses and injuries recorded within the squad, the club submitted an application to the EFL for the postponement of Thursday's tie with Arsenal, with the news of Lijnders' positive result coming after the request was lodged.

"The outcome of this application is still pending."

However, Liverpool have been told to get on with the game despite their mounting absences - including Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita following their departure for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Former England defender Danny Mills has told talkSPORT the Reds have no reason not to play the game against Arsenal, if they have enough fit players to field a team.

After fielding an Under-21 team in the competition when Klopp's first XI were away competing in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2019, Mills says there's no reason why they can't do the same again.

"You can only call a game off if you have so many cases of COVID," the talkSPORT pundit said on Tuesday's Kick Off show.

"You have a squad of under-23s that aren't included in that 25-man squad.

"Liverpool played them when they went off to play in the Club World Cup.

"So they have the players available, they've got under-23s that can play, so tough, throw them in."

Tottenham Hotspur legend Glenn Hoddle also added that Liverpool should not be granted permission to have their game against Mikel Arteta's side postponed.

"Yeah, the rules are there, the rules are there for everyone and I think that's what you got to abide by," he told Wednesday's talkSPORT Breakfast.

"The fact the manager won't be there, he wasn't there against Chelsea, they didn't play particularly well first half but were 2-0 up.

"I think if the rules are there and you haven't got the players to put out there then I think that's different, but I'm sure behind the scenes they'll be asked, 'who is fit, who has got COVID, who is injured'.

"So, I'm with you guys, I think the game's got to go ahead."

Outspoken talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan added his take on Wednesday's White and Jordan show, telling Liverpool to 'get on with it'.

The former Crystal Palace owner said the Merseyside club can't have it both ways, having been keen to promote their Under-23s players in the past when it has suited them.

"Liverpool buggered off to a tournament and put out their Under-23s coach, so they can't have it both ways," Jordan said.

"If Liverpool have got players available to play in this game and they don't meet the criteria for getting this game played, and it gets called off…

"Tough luck their manager is not available and tough luck Pep Ljinders isn't available, because last time they put an Under-23 coach in there.

"Do the same? Oh they don't fancy it this time, because it's a semi-final. Oh come on!

"Play the game! You were prepared to play a game without your manager last time because your manager went off to a club world championship, so get on with it!

"If they meet their requirements for not having enough players available, it has to be postponed, but if they don't and some other thing is coming into play, maybe the tournament doesn't like the players available because it might not be such a broadcastable event, well then the tournament can't have it both ways, either."