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Roberto Firmino fitness claim dropped by Liverpool hero John Barnes before Barcelona clash
LIVERPOOL legend John Barnes believes the Reds need Roberto Firmino to be fit for their Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona if his old club are to progress to the final.
Firmino is a fitness doubt for the first leg at the Nou Camp after the Brazilian missed Liverpool’s 5-0 win over Huddersfield on Friday with a muscle tear.
The 27-year-old forward has travelled to Spain with the squad and former Liverpool winger Barnes has underlined Firmino’s importance to the five-time European champions.
“The front threes are very similar for both sides,” Barnes told BonusCodeBets.
“Barcelona have a more controlled and composed midfield which means they don’t get the ball forward as quickly.
“Liverpool’s front three are more dynamic because they play such a high tempo game.
“Balance will be the most important thing, and Liverpool have that in abundance.
“It’s crucial that Roberto Firmino is fit because Liverpool aren’t the same team without him.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has said that Firmino’s chances of playing ‘look good so far’ but it is not yet known whether he has passed a fitness test.
If Firmino is not able to start for Liverpool then he will be a big loss and a potential selection headache is the last thing Klopp needs as he tries to figure out a way to nullify the attacking threat of the prolific Lionel Messi-led Barca attack.
However, Barnes believes Liverpool can only stop Messi by working as a team. “You can’t look to one individual,” he said.
“You have to play as a team to make sure he doesn’t get the ball in the wrong areas.
“They’ve also got Coutinho, Suarez and Dembele, so they’ve got to stop all the great players.
“Midfielders will have to track back and stop the space around Messi, but the Liverpool midfield work that way.”
In terms of his former side’s chances going forward, Barnes remains confident that the Reds have enough quality to challenge Barcelona’s defence.
“Liverpool will play an attacking game, so I think the forwards will cause them problems because their back four isn’t the strongest.
“If Liverpool are brave enough to try and win the ball high up the field and commit people forward, it will give them problems.”