EPL 2021-22: Jurgen Klopp to miss Liverpool's Chelsea clash after suspected COVID-19 test result

In yet another major setback considering the English Premier League (EPL) 2021-22, Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has been suspected for COVID-19. His test result on Saturday turned out to be a doubtful positive. Having shown mild symptoms, the EPL confirmed that he is currently in self-isolation and will be missing The Reds' trip to London for the Chelsea tie on Sunday.

"The Reds manager, who reported mild symptoms ahead of the fixture, is now isolating. Therefore, assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders will lead the team for the 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. However, three backroom staff members have returned suspected positive results," read the EPL statement.

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Earlier, Klopp had confirmed a few COVID cases in the Liverpool camp. However, he had asserted that it was still safe to continue with its visit to Chelsea. He refused to reveal the players' names testing positive as he awaited the PCR test results. Despite Kloop's assumption that the game would go ahead, the final call will likely be taken on Sunday morning.

"We never had this kind of proper outbreak where 10, 15, 20 players had it. For us, it's more every day, another one. Staff happens more often. So, as I said before, it feels like a lottery in the morning when you stand there and wait for the result. It was now pretty much day by day always one case, today another one," Klopp told during a press conference.