Several European clubs and national teams reported on Friday a series of coronavirus cases among their ranks, including Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Swedish defender Carl Starfelt, who plays for Russian club Rubin Kazan.

It is very likely that Liverpool, led by coach Jürgen Klopp, will not have the 28-year-old forward when they resume their matches, first in the Premier League on November 21 against Leicester City and four days later against Italian side Atalanta in the group stage of the Champions League. Liverpool defeated Atalanta 5-0 earlier this month in a rout in which Salah contributed to the scoreline.

Salah tested positive for COVID-19, announced the Egyptian Football Association on Twitter prior to the national team's Saturday match against Togo in Group G of the qualifying rounds for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, the Swedish Football Association reported that Starfelt has tested positive for coronavirus. The team doctor, Anders Valentin, said that the 25-year-old defender "is well" and has been isolated in his hotel room.

Sweden faces Croatia in Stockholm on Saturday. In another similar case, the Norwegian Football Association has canceled its training sessions after one of its players, who was not identified, tested positive for the virus.

The Association added that the player has been put in quarantine as the Norwegian national team prepares to face Romania in Bucharest on Sunday in a UEFA Nations League match.

Meanwhile, Irish midfielder Alan Browne contracted COVID-19 after participating in a friendly match against England.

The Football Association of Ireland revealed that Browne has been isolated from the rest of the team, but ruled out any other player being considered at risk due to close contact.

The Association stated that the rest of the squad tested negative in a pre-match test before the Sunday clash against Wales in the Nations League. (D)