Topic: Arsenal vs Liverpool, now 13 Jan 2022, Pre-Match Thread

[Nick110581]

It’s only because we are massive and Klopp is an easy target for the xenophobic media.

Who gives a fuck.

[4pool]

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.

In response, the club halted preparations at the AXA Training Centre, meaning Tuesday’s first-team training session was cancelled.

Among the considerations which led to today’s application to the EFL is the need for travelling supporters to be given as much notice as possible of any potential postponement.

With no prospect of the current situation improving ahead of Thursday’s fixture and the potential for it to worsen, the club considers it both prudent and reasonable to ask for the fixture to be rescheduled.

Liverpool FC will offer a further update on the application process, as well as the resumption of training, in due course.

[12Kings]

I think we’ll be out of football till near the end of the month to be fair, certainly be cancelling the fa cup game also this weekend.

[Nick110581]

I think we’re be out of football till near the end of the month to be fair, certainly be cancelling the fa cup game also this weekend.

Why would it be the end of the month if players have to isolate for 7 days only ?

[12Kings]

Why would it be the end of the month if players have to isolate for 7 days only ?

That will go right through the entire squad now

[cdav]

Think the comment on thinking of travelling supporters is quite barbed at the way some of these matches have been called off hours before kick off.

Hopefully get a response tomorrow we reckon?

[Mighty_Red]

Why would it be the end of the month if players have to isolate for 7 days only ?

note that many people will still return positive tests after 7 days even if their symptoms have gone so we can't rely on that 100%. Hopefully if action is taken now, we might still be able to play next Thursday depend on how many go down.

[Kenny's Jacket]

Kelleher is not available?

Karius - The redemption

[rafathegaffa83]

Reading between the lines, I'm assuming this refers to Karius?

It is understood Liverpool did have a player who wasn’t registered available under the league’s rules, but his fitness to play was in question, because of an extended absence from the first team picture.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-liverpool-arsenal-semi-postponed-25854441?2=

[SamLad]

Why would it be the end of the month if players have to isolate for 7 days only ?

every club will be hit at different times, different players.  no reason to think it won't become an endless cycle type of thing.  even if no clubs are playing silly buggers with the thing.

[UntouchableLuis]

I just wish the season would pause for a few weeks. Our entire season is close to being fucked. The league title has definitely been influenced by this mess IMO.

[stjohns]

note that many people will still return positive tests after 7 days even if their symptoms have gone so we can't rely on that 100%. Hopefully if action is taken now, we might still be able to play next Thursday depend on how many go down.

Yeah but that would mean we are at home first. Not the way the draw was made.

[Sudden Death Draft Loser]

The league title has definitely been influenced by this mess IMO.

Either all games should be played or none.

It's too late now as the league has already been distorted.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Reading between the lines, I'm assuming this refers to Karius?

Not even the FA would be harsh enough to make us play him.

[Cafe De Paris]

Just seen that the club want the game postponed/rearranged and it is all over the news. Am I missing something here. Other clubs just seemed to postpone their games and we only get to find out on LiveScore. But if Liverpool ‘make an application’ to postpone then it’s fkn prime time news. Comes with being the greatest club in the world I guess.

[SamLad]

I just wish the season would pause for a few weeks. Our entire season is close to being fucked. The league title has definitely been influenced by this mess IMO.

I get the sentiment 100% .... but how on earth could we handle the backlog of games, in 4 competitions?

the season will NOT be lengthened.

[MBL?]

Would Jaros be around after his loan?

[Dim Glas]

This season is a mess, but here we are in the PL (and cups), trying to muddle through it with teams barely able to field starting 11’s and coaches and managers sick with it unable to train or coach their teams.

I am awaiting cries of scrapping the season and null and void very soon......


**crickets**

[flyingcod]

I get the sentiment 100% .... but how on earth could we handle the backlog of games, in 4 competitions?

the season will NOT be lengthened.

How are you so certain?  There is no summer tournament, would it not be sensible to extend the league and/or cup games to Mid June?

fc

[RedForeverTT]

How are you so certain?  There is no summer tournament, would it not be sensible to extend the league and/or cup games to Mid June?

fc

I think the flexibility would be limited. There is the mandatory off season to give players a test and then followed by lucrative pre season matches that big clubs wouldn’t want to miss and that includes us.

[Mighty_Red]

Yeah but that would mean we are at home first. Not the way the draw was made.

not sure we would be too worried to be honest, if the option was to simple play at home first then away I think Jurgen would take that. Whether the EFL would allow it is a different matter. Let's get the postponement approved first.

[Suareznumber7]

I just wish the season would pause for a few weeks. Our entire season is close to being fucked. The league title has definitely been influenced by this mess IMO.

A pause isn't going to do anything.  The virus will still be present in the country and players will still be getting it.  You have to just deal with it imo. 

[TepidT2O]

Why would it be ?

We don’t know any details.

Because dickheads are in charge!

[4pool]

Yeah but that would mean we are at home first. Not the way the draw was made.

Or, they move the away leg to next week, then reschedule the home leg.

[Number 7]

What were the PL gong to realistically do though?

Stop the League and make the players have their own lock down? You had Leicester players at the darts and Ali had a load of family over from Brazil.

Nothing illegal in either but probably not sensible considering your profession.

It wouldn't necessarily have been a lockdown. Just a pause to contain the spread amongst footballers, staff, etc. It was an idea that was floated for a few days but when all the PL clubs met it was shot down. It would never have happened of course.

I do agree with your point in general though. The problem is a lot of people are just going about their daily business and putting themselves in vulnerable positions. There are no restrictions so the fact it is rampant now isn't a surprise.

[Mister Flip Flop]

It's just reaching complete farce levels now. How stupid can they get playing a two legged semi final of the milk cup in the middle of a covid surge/AFCON and with no room to extend the season because of international wankball and the sportwashing world cup next Xmas.

A Boris/Trump hybrid would do a better job than the football authorities at present.

[Number 7]

Just seen that the club want the game postponed/rearranged and it is all over the news. Am I missing something here. Other clubs just seemed to postpone their games and we only get to find out on LiveScore. But if Liverpool ‘make an application’ to postpone then it’s fkn prime time news. Comes with being the greatest club in the world I guess.

The rules are an absolute sham. When United had 2 games postponed and their training ground closed did we ever actually hear a number of how many of their players had it? We never heard anything. And we've been transparent all along with which of our players have had it.

In both the Spurs and Chelsea games we had 3+ first team players out with Covid and never once asked for a postponement. We dropped points in both games. Now all of sudden we want a game postponed we should throw our Academy kids into a game to preserve Arsenal's best chance of winning a trophy this season? Fuck that.

[Fromola]

This season is a mess, but here we are in the PL (and cups), trying to muddle through it with teams barely able to field starting 11’s and coaches and managers sick with it unable to train or coach their teams.

I am awaiting cries of scrapping the season and null and void very soon......


**crickets**

The cries are that Liverpool are a disgrace for not wanting to take a bunch of kids down there to get thrashed in a semi final.

[Fromola]

I get the sentiment 100% .... but how on earth could we handle the backlog of games, in 4 competitions?

the season will NOT be lengthened.

We should be okay in a few weeks because most of the players and staff will have had the virus. But game by game who knows which opponent will be getting outbreaks and wanting games off.

[cdav]

If we forfeited the game at theirs 3-0 I'd still back us to go through at Anfield to be honest

[Sudden Death Draft Loser]

But game by game who knows which opponent will be getting outbreaks and wanting games off.

Who knows which clubs will be claiming outbreaks in order to get a rest and get injured players back.

Do clubs have to show proof of positive tests?

[Slippers]

Because dickheads are in charge!

That's definitely a contributing factor.

[DangerScouse]

If we forfeited the game at theirs 3-0 I'd still back us to go through at Anfield to be honest

Would be a huge task with one recognised forward currently available.

[Nick110581]

Game is off apparently.

[cdav]

Would be a huge task with one recognised forward currently available.

Loan Shaq and Wijnaldum back and go full on Barce

[darragh85]

Liverpool must respect the integrity of the competition and field a strong team for this game.

how can they degrade a wonderful competition that's named after the latest big corporation that bid the most money to sponsor it this season?

[newterp]

Game is off apparently.

any source (I believe you - just wanted to know if there was an official notification)

[rushyman]

It's just reaching complete farce levels now. How stupid can they get playing a two legged semi final of the milk cup in the middle of a covid surge/AFCON and with no room to extend the season because of international wankball and the sportwashing world cup next Xmas.

A Boris/Trump hybrid would do a better job than the football authorities at present.

It’s very purposeful i think

Because of that and the FA cup we’re playing 2 more league  games in January

They’re trying to make the afcon not make a complete farce of the season

Prioritising the league and throwing the 3rd round of the fa cup amd league cup semis in the bin

[andy07]

Game is off apparently.

Source?

[Thepooloflife]

Stating the obvious - but the PL are an utter disgrace. Other teams eg. Man Utd, Newcastle etc have had games postponed like at the drop of a hat......we request a game and it's like  oooooh, hold on ! Fuckin' shithouses they are.