Liverpool players undergo coronavirus testing as return to training edges closer

The Premier League leaders will receive the results of their tests in the next 24 to 48 hours, at a crucial point in the Project Restart plan to resume the season

Liverpool underwent coronavirus testing protocols on Sunday with 40 players and staff swabbed ahead of a potential return to training on Tuesday if Project Restart advances as planned.

The drive-by process was carried out at the club’s Academy base in Kirkby, with all individuals arriving at staggered times to maintain social distancing measures.

The test, conducted by Hong Kong-based biotechnology company Prenetics as part of its ‘Project Screen’ programme, will determine if an individual has the virus now and not if they have contracted it in the past.

The European champions will receive their results in the next 24 to 48 hours, which is a crucial period for the Premier League’s plan to follow the Bundesliga lead’s and resume the season.

A video conference with representatives of all 20 clubs is scheduled for 10:30am on Monday, where a vote will be required to implement the first phase of training, which will see small groups of players work together in a sterile, non-contact environment.

At least 14 approvals are needed for players to return under these conditions on Tuesday.

All clubs will have undertaken Covid-19 testing by the end of the weekend, with Wolves kickstarting the process last Monday.

It is set to be carried out twice a week as England’s top flight attempts to safely finish the campaign. Given the scale of examination – up to 1,600 tests during every seven-day period – being conducted across the Premier League, positive results would not be surprising.

If an individual has shown symptoms and tests positive for coronavirus, they must self-isolate for a full week before having to be swabbed again.

If they’ve shown symptoms but test negative for coronavirus, they will need to follow the same directive.