Thiago Alcantara tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of Arsenal showdown

New Liverpool signing Thiago Alcantara has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be unavailable for Arsenal's visit to Merseyside, sources close to Anfield Central claim.

Due to government protocols, the 29-year-old will be required to self-isolate for 14 weeks so he will be unable to train until midway through the international break and so his next involvement for the Reds will likely be the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park on the 17th of October.

Sources close to Anfield Central inform us that while Thiago has tested positive for the virus that has turned the world upside down in 2020, he is asymptomatic and is not experiencing any discomfort.

Liverpool will confirm Thiago's positive coronavirus test after the game on Monday evening.

When Arsenal visit Anfield on Monday, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Georginio Wijnaldum will start in the engine room for Liverpool with the Reds planning to suffocate Arsenal high up the pitch to prevent Mikel Arteta's side getting any rhythm on the ball.

Jurgen Klopp also plans on handing Diojo Jota a Liverpool debut off the bench after Liverpool signed the Portuguese forward from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £41m.

Rhian Brewster and Sepp van den Berg are two potential departures, with the former likely to move to Sheffield United while the latter is likely to leave on loan.