DANNY INGS tested positive after Southampton’s win over Liverpool and may have been infectious during the clash, according to Ralph Hasenhuttl.
The England striker, 28, tested negative before the January 4 victory over the Reds at St Mary’s – in which he scored the winner with a second-minute strike.
Danny Ings tested positive for Covid shortly after the 1-0 win over LiverpoolCredit: AP:Associated Press
But Saints boss Hasenhuttl has confirmed Ings has been self-isolating since the game having returned a positive result shortly afterwards.
The Austrian chief also reserved praise for the coronavirus protocols in place after it appeared there was no outbreak at either club despite Ings’ infection.
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy missed the game after returning a positive test before the clash.
Hasenhuttl said: “After the last game against Liverpool, we had one positive test.
“Danny Ings has been out now for ten days in self-isolation.
“That [Ings result] meant that in this game maybe also he was contagious.
“I think it’s 48 hours before a positive test you can be (infected) and we had no further positive tests so far.
“That means our protocols we are sticking to and our guidelines we really follow them and are very disciplined are definitely good.”
Hasenhuttl confirmed Ings has been in isolation since the win over Liverpool and praised football’s Covid protocols for limited the spreadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Hasenhuttl explained: “When you stick to these guidelines then you can also work like we do it every day together, celebrate together.
“We did it after the Liverpool game, we did it in the game and I think this is the answer enough.
“You never know but this showed me when you stick to the protocols that you can control the risk.
“And it’s the reason why the Premier League decided to let us play football and this is what we are doing.
“For me, part of football is the duels, part of football is defending a set-piece where you’re standing together and part of football is celebrating when you score a goal…
“I think the protocols and experience we made so far shows that it works.”
Liverpool have not announced any positive tests among players or staff since the game.
However, the Reds will likely keep an even closer eye on things in the run-up to their monster top-of-the-table clash with arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
