Liverpool will not have manager Jurgen Klopp on the touchline for their game with Chelsea after he returned a suspected positive COVID-19 test result.
The Reds are battling with Man City and the west Londoners in the Premier League title race this season but their German boss will now miss their huge encounter on Sunday.
Klopp has been vocal about vaccinations and COVID-19AFP
A club statement read: “Jürgen Klopp will miss Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea on Sunday after returning a suspected positive COVID-19 test result.
“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.”
Klopp is now in isolation after he reported mild symptomsGetty
Liverpool have already had issues with COVID-19 in recent weeks with Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara all missing games due to the illness.
On Friday it was revealed three new unnamed players also had positive test results meaning they could well name a depleted team against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, who had had their own problems.
