Guardiola Urges Christmas COVID-19 Precautions at Man City

Pep Guardiola. (AP)
Pep Guardiola. (AP)
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Guardiola Urges Christmas COVID-19 Precautions at Man City

Pep Guardiola. (AP)
Pep Guardiola. (AP)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has asked his players to take all the necessary precautions during Christmas celebrations with their friends and families to avoid a COVID-19 outbreak at the Premier League club.

Fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur had a second match postponed this week after the league agreed to call off Sunday's game at Brighton & Hove Albion due to a number of COVID-19 cases.

Spurs also had their Europa Conference League game against Stade Rennais called off by UEFA after the club said they had 13 positive cases - eight players and five members of staff.

Leicester City were without several players for their Europa League game at Napoli on Thursday due to COVID-19, and Guardiola said he hoped to avoid a similar situation at his side, calling on his players to be vigilant.

"They know they have to be careful, be at home as much as possible. When they go out, social distance and wear a mask. Look at the statistics, the rules from the government. It's still there... and there are setbacks," Guardiola said.

The Spanish manager, whose mother died due to COVID-19 last year, said leaders City cancelled plans for a Christmas party.

"You have to protect yourself, because at Christmas time there's a tendency for more parties, going out more often," added Guardiola, whose side take on Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

"Everyone at home organizes a party with family and kids. They're going to do it. We're not going to say don't do it, but be careful. The risk is high.

"Look at what happened at Tottenham and Leicester. It can happen here as well, if we don't pay attention. That's a big problem for them, for their health and family, but of course, the team."



Brazil Goalkeeper Alisson Set to Return from Injury for Liverpool in Premier League

Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker attends a news conference at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Sept.16, 2024, ahead of Champions League soccer match between A.C. Milan and Liverpool on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker attends a news conference at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Sept.16, 2024, ahead of Champions League soccer match between A.C. Milan and Liverpool on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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Brazil Goalkeeper Alisson Set to Return from Injury for Liverpool in Premier League

Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker attends a news conference at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Sept.16, 2024, ahead of Champions League soccer match between A.C. Milan and Liverpool on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker attends a news conference at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Sept.16, 2024, ahead of Champions League soccer match between A.C. Milan and Liverpool on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is back in training and is set to return to the team for the trip to Wolverhampton in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot gave a positive update on Friday on the Brazil international, who has missed the last two games — big wins over Bournemouth in the league and West Ham in the League Cup — because of a hamstring injury.

“We are expecting him in the whole (practice) session today," Slot said of Alisson. “We think he is available.”

Backup keeper Caoimhin Kelleher replaced Alisson for the last two games.