The English Football League (EFL) has moved the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Liverpool to January 13, 2022, following a significant rise in COVID-19 cases at the Merseyside club, according to an official statement.
Liverpool submitted the postponement request on Tuesday, citing an increasing number of infections among players and staff. The club closed its training ground on Wednesday as cases continued to grow, with manager Juergen Klopp and multiple key players testing positive in recent days.
The EFL confirmed the change, noting that recent developments made it impossible to maintain the original schedule. The revised fixtures now feature the first leg at Anfield on January 13, with the second leg at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on January 20.
Players affected include Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino, and Joel Matip, who tested positive over the weekend. Earlier in December 2021, Virgil van Dijk, Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho, and Curtis Jones also isolated after positive tests.
The UK reported a record 218,724 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, reflecting the broader public health context of the decision.
