Manager Jurgen Klopp explained at his media conference on Monday that Roberto Firmino is a major doubt for the clash at Anfield and his fellow forwards Divock Origi and Dominic Solanke are almost certain to miss out as they face joining attacking midfielder Adam Lallana on the injury list.
Firmino was taken off in the second half of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham at Wembley after being caught in the eye by Jan Vertonghen’s flailing arm.
Asked if Firmino would be passed fit to play in his Monday press conference, Klopp said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo: “Not definitely. If the game was today no chance.
“It’s good news that it will be close. It’s going to be very close, we all saw the picture and we were shocked. It was a painful one. No one wants it or needs it, but he will be fine.
“We have new injury concerns. We tried to give Divock and Dom a bit of practice [for the U23s]; they used it, they scored, but it looks like both of them will not be available for tomorrow.
“It’s not too serious. Div has a little bit of an ankle [injury]. He tried this morning and didn’t really work out too well, so he will try again tomorrow morning. With Dom, we have to see. He got a knock and we will see how that develops.”
The Echo cite Klopp as saying that Lallana is also still not fit after sustaining an injury during the recent international break.