Leeds United's Boxing Day game against Liverpool called off

[YorkshireSquare]

Leeds United have confirmed that their Boxing Day match against Liverpool at Anfield is the latest to be called off due to five positive Covid-19 cases within the first team squad and staff. All cases detected are asymptomatic but with both players and staff having to isolate for at least seven days along with the ongoing injury crisis at the club, Leeds are unable to field enough first team players for the game to go ahead. A statement from the club reads…

Leeds United are disappointed to confirm that our Boxing Day fixture with Liverpool has been postponed following five new positive COVID cases within the first-team squad and staff. All of the cases we have experienced are asymptomatic which we believe is due to our high vaccine take up.

The positive cases, combined with our well documented injury issues, means that we would not have enough recognised first-team players to meet the Premier League requirements for the fixture.

The training ground at Thorp Arch will be closed for a period of two days on the advice of Public Health England.

All tickets and official travel booked for the Liverpool game will be valid for the rearranged date, further details to be announced in due course.

The statement also puts in doubt Leeds United's next home game against Aston Villa on Tuesday 28th December. Coming in just five days time it is likely that many of the squad will still be self-isolating. Wolves game against Watford has also been called off. Watford have also had games against Burnley, Crystal Palace and Wolves postponed. The Premier League advised Watford continue to have an insufficient number of players to field a team.

With more than 10 games already called off league managers will meet with the Premier League on Thursday to discuss issues around the Covid-19 pandemic. The Premier League clubs decided on Monday to not make any changes to the festive schedule but it’s already looking like the festive fixture list could be decimated by postponements. With the World Cup next season it could mean a real fixture pile up later in the season as the rearranged games are crammed into the schedule.

[lufc1304]

Thank f**k for that!!!

[john1931]

Thank f**k for that!!!

Lol....now we can enjoy boxing Day

[Cjay]

Excellent news


Keep licking those door handles and each other lads

Whatever it takes!!!!

What i dont get is we didnt have enough senior players to play Arsenal either (and Llorente had covid then) so why wasnt it called off then?

Rules are ao confusing

[SG90]

Good news tbh and Klopp will be whinging, which makes it even better.

[YorkshireSquare]

Rules are ao confusing

Rule seems to be 3 self-isolating then the available players will be considered. So another couple of positives within the playing squad at least.

[YorkshireSquare]

Good news tbh and Klopp will be whinging, which makes it even better.

Thought Klopp wanted everything postponing?

[SG90]

Excellent news


Keep licking those door handles and each other lads

Whatever it takes!!!!

What i dont get is we didnt have enough senior players to play Arsenal either (and Llorente had covid then) so why wasnt it called off then?

Rules are ao confusing

Because we only had one covid (Llorente), now we have 6 covid. Unless the FA wanted our u18s team facing full strength Liverpool and a new PL record score in double digits, then they'd have to postpone.

[SG90]

Thought Klopp wanted everything postponing?

If so, then there will be a break lol.

[SG90]

This was always going to happen tbh. Just makes playing on look ridiculous. Look how many games are off in the EFL.

[SG90]

I wonder if Meslier and Klaesson were two lol, as the FA said you had to have a GK and 14 players.

[1964white]

Probably brought up from London by Arsenal.

Villa game will be off then, at least our fans don't have to make a decision with regards staying safe.

We all can enjoy Christmas now

[Cumbriarents]

get in. I couldn't be arsed with it spoiling my boxing day

[SG90]

Fingers crossed its rearranged for the AFCON

[velo]

Great news, no need to get hammered boxing day now.........oh wait !

[weasel]

This was always going to happen tbh. Just makes playing on look ridiculous. Look how many games are off in the EFL.

I'm guessing the premier League don't want to have an official break as it would then take the decision out of their hands as to when it is safe to restart. They want to keep it under their control and also ensure that money comes in from the tv companies.

[eastyorkshirewhite]

a lot of people may be thinking different because for a lot the festive period of games is the most enjoyable.

[1964white]

a lot of people may be thinking different because for a lot the festive period of games is the most enjoyable.

What? getting battered enjoyable as we haven't got enough players fit to be competitive.

This is a welcome relief for our depleted squad.

We need the likes of Bamford, Llorente, Cooper, Struijk, James, Firpo, Rodrigo, Cresswell, etc back in the match day squad a.s.a.p to give us half a chance of winning football matches. Unfortunately, Kalvin won't be fit until at least mid-February, a massive miss!

It's a distinct possibility our next league game maybe West Ham on 16th January '22 which hopefully will help our cause & also give the likes of Dallas, Klich, Harrison time to freshen up after a break.

[1964white]

We need to arrange this game when Salah & Mane are away on African Cup duty during late January

I doubt scruffy Klopp would agree, though.

[White Riot]

Hallelujah