Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp provides Roberto Firmino injury update

Liverpool continued to top Group B and also confirmed their early qualification into the Round of 16 with a 2-0 Anfield victory over Atletico de Madrid; but it came at the expense of losing another crucial player, Roberto Firmino.

Diego Simeone and his Atlético de Madrid side could not conjure up a repeat of their last visit to Anfield that not only ended Liverpool’s run in the Champions League but also signalled the termination of fans and football in England, due to the then-new COVID pandemic.

The Reds were a level above their opponents for most of the game; thanks to an early relentless Reds start. They were rewarded with two early goals – these goals scored by Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane respectively was the only goals for the night as Jurgen Klopp completed the double over his bitter antagonist, Simeone.

The victory cost Liverpool Roberto Firmino

Just before the second half of action started at Anfield, Klopp ejected Sadio Mane from the game and replaced him with the Brazilian, Firimno.

This was a precautionary step taken by the German boss with the Senegalese on a yellow card and the Madrid players looking to even the playing field with their diving antics, having gone a man down in the 36th minute of the first half.

Sadly, Roberto Firmino also had to be removed early from the clash, lasting for 32 minutes of the game – he was subsequently replaced by Divock Origi.

Due to the fact he was introduced into the game and then taken out soon after, it was clear there was a problem with the forward, but it was only after the final whistle and during Klopp’s interview where the news of a hamstring injury was confirmed.

This will see Bobby miss out on the trip to the London Stadium on Sunday, where they will meet West Ham United for Premier League action.

"Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Roberto Firmino was forced off in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid due to a hamstring injury – the third player to suffer one.Klopp revealed that it was a hamstring injury for Firmino, which almost certainly rules him out of Saturday’s clash with West Ham at the very least. (Via: thisisanfield.com)"

Massive worry for Klopp

This is a major concern for the Liverpool boss with Roberto Firmino joining James Milner, Naby Keita, Harvey Elliott, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones on the sideline.

The manager was enjoying the rare opportunity of getting to rotate his entire team front to back  – hence us seeing the likes of Elliott breaking onto the scene. Now he has a little room to move around in where first-team players are concerned.

Added to the issue, the Reds front four, with Jota included, have been in fine fettle; of the 47 goals scored by Liverpool this season, 34 have been scored by the awesome foursome – and six of those coming from the man injured in the Atletico de Madrid win.