Liverpool member tests positive

Liverpool are continuing with their training camp in Austria despite a member of their travelling party testing positive for Covid-19.

Liverpool's training squad has a unnamed member test positive to Covid-19

Liverpool are continuing with their training camp in Austria despite a member of their travelling party testing positive for Covid-19.

The club have not said whether the affected person is a player or one of the many accompanying staff because of medical confidentiality. The protocol that will now be followed includes a period of self-isolation for what is likely to be at least seven days.

Liverpool arrived in Austria on Saturday having cancelled plans to conduct their pre-season preparations in Evian-les-Bains after France was placed on the UK quarantine list.

All members of Liverpool’s group were tested before travelling and then upon arrival in Saalfelden near Salzburg.

Testing has been continuing throughout the camp and no one trained without recording two negative tests first.

The case was reported in the Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung. Liverpool have also refused to comment on whether the person showed symptoms for Covid-19 or was asymptomatic.

Neither Trent Alexander-Arnold nor Harry Wilson travelled, the club citing minor injuries for their absence.

Jurgen Klopp’s squad will be based in Austria until next week before returning to Merseyside for the Community Shield against Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday, August 29.

Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are all interested in taking Rhian Brewster should Liverpool send the striker out on loan again.

The 20-year-old has said he wants to stay and fight for a place in Klopp’s plans after impressing in the Sky Bet Championship at Swansea City where he scored 11 goals in 22 appearances.

Liverpool had favoured keeping the five-substitutes rule, introduced as part of Project Restart, for the 2020-21 campaign. However, with the majority of clubs voting against the change there will be fewer opportunities for game time for some, and ensuring Brewster plays regularly to maintain his development is a priority for Liverpool.

THE TIMES