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Roberto Firmino will NOT play vs Barcelona - Liverpool legend makes early team news claim
ROBERTO FIRMINO will not start for Liverpool against Barcelona, claims Reds legend Phil Thompson.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp gives Roberto Firmino update
Firmino has been struggling with a muscle problem in recent days and missed the 5-0 Premier League win over Huddersfield last Friday.
The Brazilian returned to full training on Tuesday and flew to Barcelona with the Liverpool squad ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg.
However, Thompson believes it is too big of a risk to start Firmino at the Nou Camp and can see Daniel Sturridge or Divock Origi starting up front instead.
The former defender says Liverpool still have plenty of ammunition to trouble Barcelona's defence, even without Firmino.
I think Firmino, it would be very, very difficult to start him tonight
“Also, let’s not look at that [defensive] side, let’s look at the other [attacking] side,” Thompson said of the Barcelona clash on Sky Sports.
“Them having to stop Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Daniel Sturridge of Divock Origi, whoever plays.
“I think Firmino, it would be very, very difficult to start him tonight. Let them worry about us.
“[Firmino’s] my favourite. Everybody’s [favourite] is Mo Salah or Sadio Mane or Virgi van Dijk.
“My favourite is Roberto Firmino for all he brings to the side.
“Wonderful skills but with a work ethic, he starts the closing down.
“Not just running at people, he’s very intelligent about how he starts that.
“So I think there’s so much to his play.
“I think he will be a big miss, I really do.
Liverpool train ahead of Barcelona Champions League clash
“I think Mane and Salah work off Bobby Firmino.
“When Jurgen said it was a tear, that’s what really got me worried.
“Do you get over that in a week? And you’ve always got the second leg.
“I think it would be a big risk if we played him tonight.”