Blood Red: Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara tests positive for coronavirus
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Liverpool have confirmed that midfielder Thiago Alcantara has tested positive for Covid-19.
The £20million summer signing missed Monday's 3-1 Premier League win over Arsenal at Anfield, having tweeted a good luck message to the team shortly before kick-off.
The Spain international was pictured training with Jurgen Klopp's squad on Friday but was absent from subsequent sessions over the weekend, prompting speculation over his fitness.
The reason for his absence has now been revealed - so what does it mean for Thaigo and Liverpool?
What happens now?
Liverpool have followed the necessary protocols and Thiago has already started a 10-day period of self-isolation.
The club say the 29-year-old "exhibited minor symptoms of the virus" but "is in good health and is getting better".
First-team doctor, Dr Jim Moxon, said: "It is the choice of each individual whether they reveal publicly the outcome of a Covid-19 test.
"We have followed all the protocols to the letter and Thiago is OK.
"He will be self-isolating now as per the guidelines and hopefully he'll be back with us soon."
How many matches will he miss?
Thiago will not be available for Liverpool's next two fixtures - the Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Arsenal at Anfield on Thursday (October 1), and the Premier League match at Aston Villa on Sunday (October 4).
Then comes the international break and it is hoped that he could be back for the trip to Everton on Saturday, October 17.
Klopp confirmed after Monday's match that Thiago would miss the next couple of matches.
"After the international break, he will be fine," said the Reds boss.
"For sure and that's the situation at the moment."
How will his team-mates be affected?
Hopefully, the news will not impact the other Liverpool players and staff - aside from losing Thaigo for a couple of matches.
Liverpool say they have followed all the relevant protocols, as you would expect.
All Premier League players and staff are tested regularly for coronavirus, so any subsequent positive cases would be quickly acted upon.
Recently, West Ham United manager David Moyes and players Issa Diop and Josh Cullen tested positive for Covid-19.
© ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesWest Ham manager David Moyes
The news came to light shortly before the Hammers' Carabao Cup tie with Hull City - but the game was able to go ahead in the trio's absence.
The squad had apparently travelled to the ground in more than one coach in order to maintain social distancing.
"At 18:20 we suddenly got some information from our doctor and head physio to say there were three positive tests, the manager and the two players," said Irvine.
"We'd had contact insofar as we were in the same area of the stadium as David. We'd been at the stadium for about two hours before the match started.
"We were shocked by the news. We've had so many tests and not had any positive. But we've been very particular about protocol right from the start - the medical team are very aware of what has been happening and we've followed all the protocol, and we'll be following protocol now."
However, Leyton Orient's cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur had to be postponed after a number of the League Two club's players contracted coronavirus.
Latest results
The Premier League confirmed on Monday that that there had been 10 new positive Covid-19 tests between September 21 and September 27.
This was from 1,595 players and club staff tested for the virus.
Previous test results
Round 1: 31 Aug-6 Sep - 1,605 tested, with three testing positive.
Round 2: 7-13 Sep - 2,131 tested, with four testing positive.
Round 3: 14-20 Sep - 1,574 tested, with three testing positive.