Injury News: Jurgen Klopp gives the latest on Roberto Firmino ahead of Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Speaking in the pre-match press conference (h/t Birmingham Mail), Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was hopeful of having Roberto Firmino return for the clash against Aston Villa.
The Brazilian has spent the recent weeks sidelined due to a foot injury, missing a handful of games which included the UEFA Champions League semi-final ties against Villarreal. He was not used in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur either.
But according to Jurgen Klopp, the ex-Hoffenheim star is close to a return from latest injury, and he hopes the 30-year-old can feature in some capacity against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa tomorrow night.
“Bobby now trained before the last game [for] two days. We don’t train a lot so he always has to do more, that is what he is still doing. So, [a] decision for tomorrow. He gets closer and closer and closer. Hopefully, he can be involved.”
Klopp added that he is yet to get ‘final information‘ on Firmino’s situation from the medical department. He has featured against the Villans 6 times in his LFC career, where has mustered a total of two assists. The Reds have won 5 of those encounters as well.
Will Firmino play vs Villa?
Liverpool are and aren’t missing Firmino. As confusing as it might sound, it would make sense to some. With Luis Diaz spearheading our attack down the left side, Sadio Mane has been used to good effect at centre-forward in recent weeks.
But Firmino’s impact could have made a difference in games such as the one against Tottenham. Those who have seen him play regularly would know all about his ability to make things happen in tight spaces after dropping deep and finding teammates up ahead of him.
Luckily, the game against the Lilywhites has been the only game we haven’t won since Firmino was sidelined with a foot injury. It is best not to risk him this game and as grim as it may sound, the Reds are perhaps better off realising that the PL title may well be beyond reach.
Of course, a Man City loss means that we can get level on points, but they also lead us on goal difference by a margin of +4. With an FA Cup final to come and two more leagues sandwiched between the showpiece occasion at Wembley and the UEFA Champions League final on the 28th against Real Madrid, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see some of our key players rested tomorrow.
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Perhaps, Firmino can get some gametime to get back some of his sharpness, but that is something that can’t be said for certain right now. Let us hope for the best result tomorrow and a speedy recovery for Bobby in time for the FA Cup final vs Chelsea.
