Soccer-Liverpool boss Klopp to miss Chelsea game due to COVID-19

Reuters

Published Jan 01, 2022 14:35

(Reuters) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp will miss Sunday's Premier League trip to Chelsea after returning a suspected positive COVID-19 test, the Merseyside club said on Saturday.

Assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders will take charge at Stamford Bridge in the absence of Klopp, who is isolating after reporting mild symptoms.

"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," Liverpool said in a statement.

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

On Friday, Klopp said that three players and some staff had tested positive for the virus but added that it was too early to ask the Premier League for a postponement.

The league has postponed 18 games, including Liverpool's Boxing Day clash against Leeds United, since last month due to COVID-19 outbreaks and injuries at several clubs, leaving sides without enough players to fulfil fixtures.