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Jurgen Klopp makes surprise omission from Liverpool line-up while striker returns to team
ROBERTO FIRMINO has been handed a starting role for Liverpool in tonight’s Europa League semi-final against Villarreal with Daniel Sturridge on the substitutes’ bench.
Roberto Firmino has started eight of Liverpool's last nine Europa League matches
The Brazilian striker will play in an attacking trident alongside Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho.
Manager Jurgen Klopp has opted to start Kolo Toure at centre-half in place of Mamadou Sakho who has been suspended by Uefa for 30 days while an investigation takes place into his failed drugs test.
Lucas will bolster a three-man midfield against the Spaniards with Klopp selecting him with Joe Allen and captain James Milner.
Sturridge will be joined on the bench by Christian Benteke, who has recovered from a knee injury and finds himself back in the matchday squad for the first time since the defeat to Southampton on March 20.
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Toure, Moreno; Milner, Lucas, Allen; Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho
Substitutes: Ward, Benteke, Sturridge, Skrtel, Ibe, Smith, Chirivella