Liverpool request Arsenal Carabao Cup postponement

Arsenal are preparing for Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool amid a backdrop of transfer speculation and continued concerns over fixture postponements.

From their perspective, Mikel Arteta is taking charge of a side brimming with confidence. A winning run of four Premier League matches was brought to a halt by Manchester City last time out, a result that doesn’t deter from the strength of the performance.

Narrowly losing 2-1 after being reduced to ten men, there were undoubted positives to take from the match that can be carried through into the rest of the season and beyond.

The immediate next challenge is facing Liverpool, a side who ran out comfortable 4-0 winners when the two teams met earlier on matchday 12 of the campaign. However, it’s set to be a very different looking Reds side this time around. If indeed at all.

Liverpool request Arsenal Carabao Cup semi-final first leg postponement over rising Covid cases within squad

Starting with the injuries, the visitors are missing central defender Nat Phillips, forward Harvey Elliott and midfielder Thiago. Those three are joined by three international members of the squad who’ve jetted off to play for their countries at AFCON: Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita.

The first two of those are obviously huge misses, with the drop off in quality in those positions massive for Liverpool on account of the brilliance of the individuals.

Additionally, three players tested positive for Covid on the eve of the 2-2 draw away at Chelsea, and all three of Alisson, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino will still be unavailable for Thursday’s clash as they self isolate. The same applies to Jurgen Klopp, who would also be left to watch on from home.

Missing no less than nine senior players is clearly beneficial to Arsenal, although the Reds have now formally requested that the match be postponed.

"“Liverpool Football Club can confirm an application has been submitted for the postponement of Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final, first-leg tie with Arsenal due to an escalating number of suspected positive COVID-19 cases and player availability,” a statement read.“The Reds have formally requested to the EFL that the fixture is rescheduled after further suspected positive tests were registered among players and staff, allied to other factors impacting selection, including illness and injury.”"

Looking at the schedule, if postponed the tie could potentially be moved to the midweek after the North London Derby as neither team has a game there.

Barring that, for whatever reason, Liverpool would surely have to forfeit. The fixture schedule is otherwise swamped.