Jurgen Klopp praised Newcastle United for making "life hard" for Liverpool in a 3-1 win for the Reds, while explaining his decision to remove Mohamed Salah in the second half.

Jonjo Shelvey silenced the Anfield crowd on Thursday with his opener, but Diogo Jota equalised soon after – Liverpool finding the net for a club-record 32nd game across all competitions.

Salah then put Klopp's side into the ascendancy, matching Jamie Vardy's Premier League record of scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive games, before Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed victory with a ferocious strike.

With the win, the Reds became the first side to 2,000 victories in the English top flight, while they moved within a point of leaders Manchester City and three points clear of third-placed Chelsea.

It could have been very different after Shelvey's opener, though, even if Klopp expected a tough task.

"We used in preparations more Bournemouth than Newcastle for analysis," Klopp told BT Sport. "We won 2-1 last time Eddie Howe was here with Bournemouth after they scored another goal. We expected similar things. They made life hard for us.

"Being 1-0 down changed the mood a bit. We were rushing in moments. We scored really good goals. I'm really pleased in this period of the year when you just have to get through games."

On Salah's recent form and the decision to remove the Egypt international with 16 minutes of normal time remaining, he added: "That's quite amazing. His assists are as important [as the goals]. 

"Today was right to take him off a bit earlier. We play in three days again."

Klopp also revealed he had not anticipated rivals Everton's welcome draw at Chelsea, while he praised Liverpool's fighting spirit to come from behind and win.

"I didn't expect Chelsea would drop points, it is pretty rare. I don't know five or six players of the Everton line up, so to get a point at Chelsea is massive," Klopp told BBC's Match of the Day.

"You have to react [to the goal]. I am really pleased, but I expect it as well; it is not that we celebrate we came back. We worked hard, not only brilliant football – of course, some good football – we were very dominant, it is not so easy to play against such a deep block.

"We have already a few games in our legs, I love how the boys dug in really deep and got a very deserved result."

Liverpool travel to face Tottenham on Sunday having been without Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones against Newcastle after the trio returned suspected positive coronavirus tests.

COVID-19 has prompted the postponement of several other fixtures, meaning Klopp is uncertain of what the future holds.

"It's a really tricky situation," he said. "Nobody knows exactly how we'll be tomorrow.

"We will go to the training centre until people tell us otherwise. I've never had three players on matchday [have to pull out]. 

"The most important thing is because the boys are vaccinated they will not feel it really. That's good. We have to wait for them.

"If we should stop the league, I have no real answer for it. If you stop it for two weeks and we come back, I really don't know what to do. I saw the Everton line-up today, I don't know half of the players."

Thomas Tuchel was left to rue Chelsea's missed opportunities in their Premier League stalemate with Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea squandered the opportunity to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City as their injury-hit opponents held out for a hard-earned 1-1 draw on Thursday.

Tuchel's Chelsea registered 80.3 per cent of the possession and 23 shots, but could only convert one courtesy of Mason Mount's fourth in as many games.

And the hosts were made to pay for their failure to capitalise while in the ascendancy; Jarrad Branthwaite equalising when he turned home Anthony Gordon's free-kick to secure a share of the spoils for the Toffees.

It also marked the third time in six games that Tuchel's side had dropped points from a winning position – and they are now four behind leaders and defending champions City.

"We gave away another lead. If we see in a match like this the effort we need to score one goal and the effort the opponent needs to score an equaliser, it’s hard to swallow," he told BT Sport.

"I think we missed big chances in the first half to get the result. In the second half, we did not find the rhythm consistently and tried to bring on some energy from the bench, but it was a bit hard. 

"We had the lead and gave it away with one free-kick.

"In football, there isn't a game where you can have one reason why things go this way. One big reason, for sure, is the chances we missed today; we could have been two or 3-0 up and playing with fire.

"We had enough chances and quality to win the game, and did not."

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 27 Premier League home games against Everton (W15 D12), equalling their longest ever unbeaten home run against an opponent in their league history (27 against Tottenham between 1990 and 2016).

At (22years 340days), Mount is the youngest player to score in four consecutive Premier League appearances for Chelsea – the England international has scored seven times in the Premier League this season; his joint-best tally alongside 2019-20.

Liverpool became the first side in history to win 2,000 English top-flight games after defeating Newcastle United 3-1 at Anfield on Thursday.

Jonjo Shelvey silenced the home crowd on his return to his former club as he rifled in after seven minutes, but Diogo Jota soon levelled things up - Liverpool scoring in a club-record 32 consecutive games across all competitions.

Mohamed Salah put Jurgen Klopp's side into the ascendancy four minutes later, the forward matching Jamie Vardy's record of scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive Premier League games, before Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a magnificent long-range effort to seal victory.

Indeed, Salah has 24 goal involvements in the league this season (15 goals, nine assists), only former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer in 1994-95 has registered more before Christmas in the competition (16 goals, nine assists).

The Reds have now won 2,000 of their 4,227 top-flight fixtures (D1047 L1180), a win ratio of 47.3 per cent.

Liverpool have lifted the English top-flight title on 19 occasions, the first coming in the 1900-01 season, while their most recent was in the 2019-20 campaign and their first of the Premier League era.

With victory over Eddie Howe's side, Liverpool also extended their unbeaten top-flight run over Newcastle at Anfield to 26 games (D5 L21) and moved back within a point of leaders Manchester City, while going three clear of third-placed Chelsea.

Klopp's side next travel to Tottenham on Sunday as they aim to keep the pace with City and Chelsea at the top of the league.

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold labelled Mohamed Salah the best player in the world as he highlighted the forward's desire to break every record possible this season.

Salah matched Jamie Vardy's Premier League mark of scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive games after Diogo Jota had cancelled out Jonjo Shelvey's strike for Newcastle United on Thursday.

Indeed, Liverpool achieved a club-record 32nd game in a row across all competitions in which they have scored with Jota's first-half equaliser, while they also became the first side to 2,000 top-flight wins in English football after Alexander-Arnold's stunner ensured a 3-1 victory at Anfield.

Much of Alexander-Arnold's praise was directed towards Salah after the game, as he outlined the Egypt international's determination to make history.

"That's exactly how you can describe it, it's mad," he told BT Sport of Salah's 15 consecutive top-flight games including a goal involvement.

"He's the best player in the world right now, it goes without saying. He's scoring and creating, doing everything – game in, game out.

"He's having an incredible season, I think that's on his mind he wants to break every record in the book and go and put his name in the history books; he's done that from the first season he came in.

"He hasn't taken his foot off the pedal from then on, and he'll be looking to break every record he can again."

Salah has 24 Premier League goal involvements to his name so far this season (15 goals, nine assists); only former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has bettered that figure before Christmas in the competition, doing so for Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95 (25 – 16 goals, nine assists).

While Salah achieved another landmark, Liverpool were perhaps fortunate to be level as Jota's equaliser came with Isaac Hayden down holding his head inside the area, although Alexander-Arnold does not think his side were at fault for playing on.

"When you're playing, when you're in and around their box, you're not really looking at who's down on the ground and who's up," he continued.

"You're looking for your team-mates and finding them for who's trying to score, you're not focusing on the ground, but if it's a head injury it's down to the referee to stop it.

"At the end of the day, he hasn't done that – we've played to the whistle, and we went and scored, that's all you can really do. We haven't cheated the game, we haven't done anything unsportsmanlike, we've played to the whistle and scored from it."

On his goal, Alexander-Arnold added: "I've been waiting for that [type of goal] for five years. I've had a few ones from the edge of box and dragged them. I've caught that one sweet and it nestled in the top corner, a sweet strike and put the game to bed."

Chelsea missed the chance to pressurise Premier League leaders Manchester City as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton.

Amid a dominant display at Stamford Bridge, Mason Mount put the hosts in front 20 minutes from time with his seventh goal of the season.

But despite missing several key players, Everton responded just four minutes later with Jarrad Branthwaite's maiden Premier League strike earning a share of the spoils.

Thomas Tuchel's men now trail City by four points, as they spurned the opportunity to close the gap.

Chelsea were unbeaten in their previous 26 home Premier League matches against Everton and dominated the first half with a staggering 81.1 per cent of the possession.

But they struggled to convert that control into goals.

Reece James shot wide after latching onto Jorginho's precise throughball, while the in-form Mount and Christian Pulisic also went close for the hosts, who had 13 shots to Everton's two before the break.

Fresh from scoring three goals in as many league games, Mount created another great opportunity in the 36th minute and forced Jordan Pickford into a reflex save from close range.

But there was no denying Mount as Chelsea finally made the breakthrough; the midfielder latching onto James' pass before slotting past Pickford.

Nevertheless, Everton did not trail for long as Branthwaite met Anthony Gordon's deep free-kick with an outstretched leg to divert past Edouard Mendy.

Chelsea almost regained the lead when Thiago Silva's header was saved well by Pickford, but they were forced to settle for a point.

 

What does it mean? A chance missed for Chelsea

The Blues have now won just one of their past four league games at Stamford Bridge, and will be disappointed not to have capitalised on their dominance in possession.

Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez will be thrilled with the character of his injury-hit side, who ended a run of four straight defeats on the road.

History for Mount

Despite Chelsea's disappointment, Mount continued his impressive run of form in front of goal.

Indeed, the England international found the net for a fourth successive Premier League match, becoming the youngest Blues player to do so.

He also registered game-high tallies of six shots and four on target.

Pickford to the rescue

Chelsea were only able to convert one of their 10 shots on target during the contest, thanks to the heroics of Pickford.

Everton's busiest player throughout the 90 minutes with 49 touches and 34 passes – both the highest tallies of any visiting player – the England goalkeeper made nine saves to keep the hosts at bay.

What's next?

Chelsea will look to respond and get back to winning ways on Sunday, when they travel to Molineux to face Wolves. Following the postponement of Everton's clash with Leicester City, the Toffees are back in action away to Burnley on Boxing Day.

Mohamed Salah scored to equal another Premier League record as Liverpool became the first team to 2,000 top-flight wins in English football with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United.

Jonjo Shelvey opened the scoring after seven minutes at Anfield on Thursday, but Diogo Jota soon restored parity – Liverpool finding the net for a club-record 32nd game in a row across all competitions.

Salah then nudged Jurgen Klopp's side ahead four minutes later, matching Jamie Vardy's record for scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive Premier League games, before Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a stunning strike in the second half to confirm victory.

Liverpool, who achieved the 2,000-win landmark in 4,227 games, moved three points clear of third-placed Chelsea – held by Everton – and within one of leaders Manchester City, leaving Newcastle still three adrift of safety.

Jota was thwarted by Martin Dubravka in a positive start by Liverpool, but a defence missing Virgil van Dijk following a suspected positive COVID-19 test conceded first when Shelvey whipped into the bottom-left corner from range.

Jota equalised in contentious fashion as he smashed in a close-range rebound to his own header with Isaac Hayden down inside the box, before Salah rifled Liverpool ahead after Dubravka had denied Sadio Mane.

Salah almost doubled his account in the first half but uncharacteristically dragged wide.

Dubravka was called upon again after the break to stop Mane's header, while Jacob Murphy drilled narrowly off target with a rare Newcastle opportunity.

Shelvey then curled a free-kick just wide of Alisson's goal, but Alexander-Arnold sealed victory when he arrowed into the top-left corner from outside the area in the closing stages.

Liverpool became the first side in history to win 2,000 English top-flight games after defeating Newcastle United 3-1 at Anfield on Thursday.

Jonjo Shelvey silenced the home crowd on his return to his former club as he rifled in after seven minutes, but Diogo Jota soon levelled things up - Liverpool scoring in a club-record 32 consecutive games across all competitions.

Mohamed Salah put Jurgen Klopp's side into the ascendancy four minutes later, the forward matching Jamie Vardy's record of scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive Premier League games, before Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a magnificent long-range effort to seal victory.

Indeed, Salah has 24 goal involvements in the league this season (15 goals, nine assists), only former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer in 1994-95 has registered more before Christmas in the competition (16 goals, nine assists).

The Reds have now won 2,000 of their 4,227 top-flight fixtures (D1047 L1180), a win ratio of 47.3 per cent.

Liverpool have lifted the English top-flight title on 19 occasions, the first coming in the 1900-01 season, while their most recent was in the 2019-20 campaign and their first of the Premier League era.

With victory over Eddie Howe's side, Liverpool also extended their unbeaten top-flight run over Newcastle at Anfield to 26 games (D5 L21) and moved back within a point of leaders Manchester City, while going three clear of third-placed Chelsea.

Klopp's side next travel to Tottenham on Sunday as they aim to keep the pace with City and Chelsea at the top of the league.

Chelsea missed the chance to pressurise Premier League leaders Manchester City as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton.

Amid a dominant display at Stamford Bridge, Mason Mount put the hosts in front 20 minutes from time with his seventh goal of the season.

But despite missing several key players, Everton responded just four minutes later with Jarrad Branthwaite's maiden Premier League strike earning a share of the spoils.

Thomas Tuchel's men now trail City by four points, as they spurned the opportunity to close the gap.

Chelsea were unbeaten in their previous 26 home Premier League matches against Everton and dominated the first half with a staggering 81.1 per cent of the possession.

But they struggled to convert that control into goals.

Reece James shot wide after latching onto Jorginho's precise throughball, while the in-form Mount and Christian Pulisic also went close for the hosts, who had 13 shots to Everton's two before the break.

Fresh from scoring three goals in as many league games, Mount created another great opportunity in the 36th minute and forced Jordan Pickford into a reflex save from close range.

But there was no denying Mount as Chelsea finally made the breakthrough; the midfielder latching onto James' pass before slotting past Pickford.

Nevertheless, Everton did not trail for long as Branthwaite met Anthony Gordon's deep free-kick with an outstretched leg to divert past Edouard Mendy.

Chelsea almost regained the lead when Thiago Silva's header was saved well by Pickford, but they were forced to settle for a point.

Mohamed Salah equalled Jamie Vardy's record of scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive Premier League games after netting against Newcastle United on Thursday.

Liverpool found themselves behind to a Jonjo Shelvey curler, but soon restored parity as Diogo Jota converted before Salah tapped in from close range to record a goal involvement in his 15th straight league game.

The former Chelsea man has now found the net in five consecutive top-flight home games against Newcastle as well, his best 100 per cent scoring run against one side at Anfield in the competition.

He also now has 24 Premier League goal involvements this season (15 goals, nine assists), in Premier League history only Alan Shearer in 1994-95 has registered more before Christmas.

With Jota's earlier strike, Liverpool also made it 32 consecutive games across all competitions in which they have found the net - a new club record after a 31-match run between 1957 and 1958.

Salah moved to within one of the Leicester City striker's tally after scoring a penalty in the 1-0 win over Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa on December 11. 

It was the 15th straight Premier League spot-kick the Egypt international had converted - the second-longest such run in the competition after Matt Le Tissier (23 between 1994 and 2000).

Salah's haul of 21 goals and nine assists prior to Thursday's contribution on Merseyside was achieved with an expected goals tally of just 16.58 and an expected assists tally of only 3.75, suggesting Liverpool have benefited from some especially clinical finishing this term.

Mohamed Salah matched Jamie Vardy's record of scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive Premier League games after netting against Newcastle United on Thursday.

Liverpool found themselves behind to a Jonjo Shelvey curler, but soon restored parity as Diogo Jota converted before Salah tapped in from close range to record a goal involvement in his 15th straight game.

The former Chelsea man has now found the net in five consecutive top-flight home games against Newcastle as well, his best 100 per cent scoring run against one side at Anfield in the competition.

He also now has 24 Premier League goal involvements this season (15 goals, nine assists), in Premier League history only Alan Shearer in 1994-95 has registered more before Christmas.

With Jota's earlier strike, Liverpool also made it 32 consecutive games across all competitions in which they have found the net - a new club record after a 31-match run between 1957 and 1958.

Salah moved to within one of the Leicester City striker's tally after scoring a penalty in the 1-0 win over Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa on December 11. 

It was the 15th straight Premier League spot-kick the Egypt international had converted - the second-longest such run in the competition after Matt Le Tissier (23 between 1994 and 2000).

Salah's haul of 21 goals and nine assists prior to Thursday's contribution on Merseyside was achieved with an expected goals tally of just 16.58 and an expected assists tally of only 3.75, suggesting Liverpool have benefited from some especially clinical finishing this term.

Liverpool will be without Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones for Thursday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United after they returned suspected positive COVID-19 tests.

The Reds revealed just over an hour before kick-off that defender Van Dijk will miss the match at Anfield along with midfielders Fabinho and Jones.

Ibrahima Konate partners Joel Matip at the heart of the Liverpool defence in the absence of Van Dijk.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, captain Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara make up Jurgen Klopp's midfield, with forward Diogo Jota coming into the starting line-up.

Soaring numbers of coronavirus cases have led to further Premier League matches being postponed this weekend, with Everton's trip to Leicester City, West Ham's home game against Norwich City, Watford's match against Crystal Palace and Southampton's clash with Brentford off.

It was earlier announced that Manchester United will not face Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday due to an outbreak in the Red Devils camp, while also led to their match at Brentford on Tuesday being postponed.

Leicester's home game against Tottenham on Thursday was also called off due to positive cases in the FA Cup holders' squad, while Burnley's home fixture with Watford could not be played on Tuesday.

The Premier League said in a statement: "The board assesses applications to postpone matches on a case-by-case basis, based on existing rules and COVID-19 postponement guidance issued to all clubs.

"It will assess a number of factors, including the ability of a club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of the COVID-19 outbreak at the club; and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and play the match.

"The board must also consider the wider risks to the opposition and other people the club representatives may come into contact with.

"With the health and wellbeing of all players and staff the priority, and in light of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Premier League has reintroduced emergency measures.

"These include protocols such as more frequent testing, wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social distancing and limiting treatment time."

Only five Premier League fixtures are scheduled to be played this weekend after four more were postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks.

The league had already confirmed Manchester United would not play Brighton and Hove Albion as the Red Devils do not have enough players to name a team.

A further four postponements have now been confirmed: Southampton v Brentford, Watford v Crystal Palace, West Ham v Norwich City, Everton v Leicester City.

Despite calls for the season to be put on hold, the Premier League said: "All other fixtures due to be played this weekend are currently scheduled to proceed as planned."

Brentford and Watford have both had to close their training grounds, with the Hornets also short of players to fulfil their match against Palace.

Norwich cannot put out a team either, with injuries and illnesses contributing to their absences alongside COVID-19.

Leicester have also now closed their training ground as they attempt to manage an outbreak that has ravaged their squad.

In the midweek round of matches, only seven games went ahead. United and Brentford had been set to meet, while Watford and Leicester were involved in the other postponed matches.

Manchester United's Premier League home match against Brighton and Hove Albion, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The Red Devils saw a small number of positive tests among players and staff after they returned from the 1-0 win at Norwich City last weekend.

While it was initially said to be a minor outbreak, the situation was described as one of "exceptional circumstances" when Tuesday's trip to Brentford was called off.

As such, it was always possible that Saturday's game with Brighton could be under threat and a United club statement on Thursday confirmed the fixture will not go ahead as planned.

The club said: "Manchester United can confirm that our Premier League fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion, scheduled for Saturday 18 December at 12:30 GMT, has been postponed and will be rescheduled in due course.

"The health of players and staff is our priority. Given the number of players and support staff having to isolate due to COVID-19, the club had no option other than to request the match be rearranged. The Premier League board took the decision to postpone based on guidance from medical advisors.

"We will also suspend football training operations at the Carrington training complex for a short period to help reduce risk of further transmission.

"We regret any disappointment and inconvenience caused to fans by the postponement."

This is the second game Brighton have had postponed in the past week after also seeing their game against Tottenham last Sunday put back due to Spurs' coronavirus outbreak.

As many as six matches involving Premier League clubs have now been postponed due to COVID-19 since December 8, with this latest example likely to increase the pressure on the Premier League regarding a potential 'circuit-breaker'.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank urged the Premier League to call off this weekend's fixtures in order to "break the chain" of infections.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin is urging footballers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.

In recent months, it has become increasingly clear that vaccine take-up is not as high among elite footballers as within the rest of society.

A story in British tabloid The Sun last week said Premier League clubs feared the government would ban unvaccinated players, suggesting there remains a reasonable proportion holding out.

The Premier League last released vaccination data in mid-October, at which point it was said only 68 per cent of players were fully vaccinated – in terms of wider society, over 80 per cent of adults aged 16 or older in England reported having been double-jabbed as early as July.

Vaccination has become an especially hot topic in the United Kingdom over the past few weeks amid the increase in football match postponements due to COVID-19 outbreaks, and UEFA is beginning a drive to promote the vaccine over the coming months.

"We've just launched a video promoting vaccination, it will go out tomorrow, I think," Ceferin told a news conference on Thursday.

"We should promote the vaccine and we will. We don't have the power to force anyone to be vaccinated, but the promotion starts today and in my humble opinion the video is good because only doctors talk in it.

"They explain why the vaccine is so important. They are experts saying the vaccine is good because of this, this and this, and that side effects are very rare. We will start promoting the vaccine now."

Bayern Munich were reported to have taken a particularly strong stance against unvaccinated players, with claims they would dock wages of anyone forced to into quarantine if they had not been jabbed.

As many as five Bayern players – including Joshua Kimmich – were said to have delayed getting the vaccine, while it emerged in October that several members of the England squad were still unvaccinated.

However, Ceferin remains hopeful that such situations will soon be a rarity.

"For me, I believe in science," he said. "I got vaccinated, and I think [the players] should get vaccinated] as soon as possible, but I still believe for now it's a personal choice.

"People aren't stupid. If you explain in a nice way, not judging them, explain why it's good.

"All figures show vaccinated people are less likely to get infected and all vaccinated people are less likely to have strong effects of COVID if they are infected.

"Sooner or later, if not all, the vast majority will understand it."

Ceferin was also asked to address the challenges of matches not being able to go ahead because of outbreaks, with particular focus on Tottenham.

Their Europa Conference League match with Rennes was unable to go ahead last week and UEFA ruled it could not find a "viable solution in order to reschedule the match".

Spurs are reportedly still attempting to find a workaround, including the possibility of playing the game in France rather than London, but they remain in a tricky situation after their clash with Leicester City was also postponed.

UEFA referred the case to their disciplinary arm and as such Spurs may have to forfeit the game with a 3-0 defeat – Ceferin accepts it may feel unjust but insisted these regulations ensure football's integrity.

"We have our regulations that are clear," he said. "Maybe they're sometimes hard to understand, but without them I don't think we could finish last season without stopping it.

"I know it sometimes looks unfair that a team has to play a certain match in a certain timeframe or the result is 3-0 for the other team, but if we didn't have clear rules then we wouldn't be able to finish the season.

"I sincerely hope we won't need those regulations soon."

Leicester City's Premier League clash against Tottenham has become the latest Premier League fixture to be postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks.

Spurs had already seen their past two matches against Rennes in the Conference League, and Brighton and Hove Albion in the top flight curtailed due to not having enough players available due to the number of positive COVID-19 tests in their squad.

However, the Foxes have also been affected by a spate of infections in their camp, with a further number of positive tests on Thursday leading to the match being called off and Leicester closing first-team operations for 48 hours.

A club statement read: "Leicester City can confirm that the Premier League Board has decided to postpone Thursday night’s fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.

"The decision was taken with guidance from medical advisors after the club resubmitted its application for postponement after confirmation this morning (Thursday) of further positive tests for COVID-19 within the first team squad. As a result, the club has an insufficient number of First Team players available to fulfil the match.

"Given the increase in positive tests among first team personnel, first team operations at Seagrave will now be closed for 48 hours, serving as a circuit breaker to help reduce the risk of further infection. First team players and staff will undergo a subsequent round of testing on Saturday.

"The club regrets the inconvenience caused to Tottenham Hotspur and both sets of supporters by Thursday night’s postponement."

Manchester United's clash at Brentford, and Burnley's home fixture with Watford this week were already postponed for coronavirus-related reasons.

It is proving particularly problematic for Spurs, who also saw a match against Burnley bite the dust at late notice due to poor weather earlier this month and now have three Premier League matches to catch up.

Antonio Conte's side are seventh in the table having played 14 games, while Leicester are ninth having played 16.

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