Latest Liverpool news: Roberto Firmino has a small muscle tear ahead of Barcelona tie

Jurgen Klopp made a couple of changes to Liverpool’s starting XI for the clash against Huddersfield.

Dejan Lovren came in for the impressive Joel Matip while Daniel Sturridge started in place of Roberto Firmino.

The Brazilian seemed to have an injury and Klopp expanded upon the attacker’s problem after the game (h/t LiverpoolFC.com):

“Now, the official diagnosis is he has a small tear in a small muscle, so apart from the word ‘tear’ everything else is positive.”

The German could not guarantee Firmino returning for the midweek clash against Barcelona but was hopeful of the star coming back quickly.

“It is Bobby, so he might be ready for Wednesday, but we obviously don’t know in the moment. Because it is him, it’s rather likely that [he will be] than not, but we will see.”

Firmino crucial to Liverpool’s game plan

The Brazilian is an important member of the starting XI as his movement and pressing create a lot of space for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Firmino has scored 16 goals this season and has seven assists to his name too. The Reds didn’t miss the attacker much in their tie against Huddersfield as we hammered them 5-0 at Anfield.

Sturridge didn’t trouble the Huddersfield keeper much and we could give Divock Origi a start at the Nou Camp.

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However, neither Sturridge nor Origi provides us with the same output as Firmino does. Liverpool need the Brazilian back to have a better chance of returning from Barcelona with a positive result.