Klopp will make decision on Firmino’s involvement tomorrow

Jurgen Klopp says he will make a decision on Roberto Firmino’s readiness to face Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Firmino suffered a horrible-looking eye injury in the match with Tottenham on Saturday and has been closely monitored by Liverpool’s medical staff ever since, according to reports. The striker was substituted after Jan Vertonghen’s finger appeared to poke the Brazilian in the left eye during a tussle over the ball.

When asked if Firmino would be fit for the Champions League opener at Anfield, Klopp responded:  “No, not definitely. If the game was today, no chance. But tomorrow there’s a chance. We were all shocked [after the game]. When we made at contact at the hospital it was a relief.

“He will be fine but we don’t know exactly when. We will see how it develops.”

It’s highly likely that Daniel Sturridge will take Firmino’s place tomorrow night if the number nine isn’t deemed fit enough – a blow to Liverpool given Firmino’s recent upturn in form, though Sturridge is a strong replacement option.

“He will be ready,” Klopp said, speaking about Sturridge. “If we are short of options, he will be ready. But there’s no issue with the first line-up.”

READ: Chelsea move ahead of Liverpool in race for Federico Chiesa

LONDON, ENGLAND, September 15: Gini Wijnaldum scores against Tottenham during Liverpool’s match with Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on September 15, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Getty Images).

READ: Fabinho believes Kiev defeat will make Liverpool stronger

Liverpool have a difficult group for this season’s Champions League, with home and away ties against PSG, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade on the cards, and Klopp knows that the Reds will face a very tough match against PSG, given their undoubted firepower.

“Everyone knows the quality of this team,” he added. “They have unbelievable quality. It will be an interesting game for sure. The players they have, the manager they have, they all brought it together to go as far as possible in the Champions League.

“If we want to win a game, we don’t need to be the outsider. We just have to want to win the game. We play at Anfield. It can be an advantage and we want to use that. We can use any help we can get!”

The German manager also brushed aside speculation about Neymar’s propensity for diving, saying that his players will not have that in mind tomorrow night.

“I don’t follow things like that,” Klopp said. “When I saw a few games at the World Cup, when it looked like he made more of a situation than it seemed, for me I understand as players were going for him.

“[But] He doesn’t have to worry [against us]. We won’t go for him. We don’t try to act in this way. We want to play football.

“It’s impossible to avoid his quality. He’s an outstanding player.”

Liverpool fans will hope that their defence, which has thus far been impeccable, will maintain their good form against PSG tomorrow night.

The post Klopp will make decision on Firmino’s involvement tomorrow appeared first on AnfieldHQ.

Source: anfieldhq.com