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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp responds to claims Roberto Firmino is out for the season
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has moved to assure fans that Roberto Firmino is NOT out for the rest of the season.
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Firmino was left out of the Liverpool squad to face Huddersfield tonight with Daniel Sturridge handed a rare start in his absence.
Rumours circulated earlier this afternoon suggesting the Brazilian had suffered a serious injury.
Firmino remains crucial to their slim hopes of winning a first league title since 1990.
And there is the small matter of a Champions League semi-final with Barcelona on the horizon.
Klopp, though, insists he will be fine for the crucial run-in and says he was only left out of the Huddersfield clash as a precautionary measure.
“We assess it obviously. It’s not a big thing, enough to leave him out today, that’s all,” he said.
The boss was boosted by the return to of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who started on the bench.
Naby Keita put Klopp’s side in front after only 15 seconds as they look to leapfrog Manchester City to the top of the Premier League before their trip to Burnley on Sunday.
And while Sadio mane headed them 2-0 in front in the 23rd minute, and Mohamed Salah made it 3-0 just before half-time, Liverpool could still end up finishing second with a whopping 97 points.
But Klopp heaped praise on his players before the match and hailed them for an incredible season no matter what happens.
“However the season ends up, it is only the first step,” the German said.
“We are not finished, not the finished article. We will carry on, and we will see.
“This is our first time trying to be champion, not the last time.
“Last season we were 25 points behind. It's all good and we will carry on.
“At the end only one team will be the champion."