Liverpool midfielder Naby Keïta has become the latest member of Jürgen Klopp’s first-team squad to test positive for COVID-19.
Reports out of Guinea, where Keïta had been to represent his national team, state that the former RB Leipzig player tested positive for the virus, along with four other international teammates.
Last week, there was much confusion around Xherdan Shaqiri’s COVID-19 diagnosis, which later came back as a ‘false positive’ meaning he did not have it. In light of such a possibility, Keita’s diagnosis will have to be officially confirmed in the next couple of days.
Thiago Alcantara and Sadio Mane also tested positive for COVID-19 but both players should be fit and available for selection in this Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
New signing Kostas Tsimikas also contracted the virus at the start of the season after being on international duty with Greece.
Liverpool boss Klopp already raised his concerns about players going all around the world on this international break. He was worried about the extra exposure every player faced in international camps.
Last week, Klopp said:
“I don’t want to sound disrespectful about how other countries are doing it but this is the place that we know and we know how we are dealing with it.
“So I am slightly concerned because it is difficult to be in contact with all FAs all over the world.”
If it’s officially confirmed that Keïta has COVID-19, Klopp will be extremely disappointed to lose the energetic midfield dynamo for the Everton game this weekend.
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