Thiago out after suspected positive COVID-19 test, Henderson also absent for Liverpool

Thiago Alcantara missed Liverpool’s game against Tottenham due to a suspected positive coronavirus test result, as Jurgen Klopp was left without a raft of key players.

The midfielder, who contracted the virus in 2020, has been placed into isolation after returning the suspect result during the pre-match round of tests.

Jordan Henderson also withdrew from the Reds’ squad for Sunday’s meeting with Antonio Conte’s team after feeling unwell. However, the Liverpool captain has tested negative for the virus.

It meant manager Klopp was without his first-choice midfield for the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, given Fabinho and Curtis Jones were also sidelined.

Here’s how we line up for today’s meeting with @SpursOfficial! #TOTLIV

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 19, 2021

They, along with star defender Virgil van Dijk, had been absent from Thursday’s win over Newcastle United at Anfield after returning suspected positive results.

Tyler Morton was handed a first Premier League start in midfield for the Spurs game, and he featured alongside James Milner and Naby Keita.

Liverpool’s game was one of only four Premier League fixtures allowed to go ahead this weekend, with the other six matches all postponed due to coronavirus cases among teams involved.

Spurs, meanwhile, were back in action for the first time since beating Norwich City on December 5, after a COVID-19 outbreak in their camp.