One semi down, one to go: Arsenal v Liverpool EFL Cup is off while Conte heads for Chelsea reunion

Liverpool's League Cup semi-final first leg match with Arsenal, scheduled to be played on Thursday, has been postponed due to the escalating Covid-19 cases, Liverpool announced on their website.

Liverpool closed their training ground on Wednesday and have manager Jurgen Klopp, assistant Pepijn Lijnders and several players presently isolating due to positive tests. Klopp, Alisson Becker, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino were already isolating before the latest wave of infections - as announced in a Liverpool statement.

"The club's submission to have the fixture rescheduled has been approved by the EFL due to the increasing number of suspected positive COVID-19 cases among players and staff. The latest round of testing on Tuesday returned a significant number of positives, including Pepijn Lijnders, who was due to take charge of the Reds at Emirates Stadium. The outbreak has left Liverpool without a sufficient number of players and staff to fulfil the contest as originally scheduled."

The two-legged tie will now see Liverpool host the first leg instead - on 13 January.

Liverpool have other personnel issues, with a number of players, including Thiago Alcantara, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi, all absent through injury, while Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita are now on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

But at least we'll get to watch one semi-final this week.

It shall be an emotional night for Spurs boss Antonio Conte as he makes his way back to West London where he served as Chelsea manager from 2016 to 2018. During his time with the Blues, the Italian won the Premier League and FA Cup. To get a chance to lift the EFL Cup, he must overcome his old club.

"I spent two amazing seasons, I created a lot of friendships at the club. I thank Chelsea because they gave me the possibility to work in England. Now, I'm the manager of Tottenham and I want to give this club 100% and more to try to improve the team. It'll be good and for sure I'll have emotion to come back to Stamford Bridge."

Finally it ends: Lukaku apologizes to fans and Tuchel

After the dust has settled in the wake of Romelu Lukaku's media outburst, the big Belgian could return just in time to face Conte, the man who coached him for the last two years in Italy, where they won the Scudetto for Inter.

EFL Cup

Semi-final, first leg

Wednesday

22.45: (2.05) Chelsea (3.40) Tottenham (3.70)

Thursday, 13 January

22.45 Liverpool – Arsenal

***odds are subject to change