Liverpool have reportedly been handed a major fitness boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final with Barcelona as Roberto Firmino is on course to play a full part in the first leg.The Brazilian forward was forced to sit out Friday night’s 5-0 win against Huddersfield Town with a muscle tear, which it was feared may have cut his season shorty.According to The Mirror, however, Firmino will return to training ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Camp Nou and Jurgen Klopp will throw him straight back into the starting lineup if he comes through that session unscathed.
Liverpool’s players underwent a recovery session on Saturday and were given the day off on Sunday.Klopp used Daniel Sturridge in Firmino’s absence for the win against Huddersfield, which took the Reds to the summit of the Premier League before Manchester City reclaimed top spot with their 1-0 win at Burnley.Liverpool switch focus back to the Champions League in midweek as they face a trip to Barcelona for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
The Reds have been in a relentless pursuit of the Premier League title, winning seven matches in a row to leave themselves within a point of leaders Manchester City with two games to go.Jurgen Klopp’s men travel to Newcastle United in their next outing on Saturday, before welcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers to Anfield on the final day, but before then there is the small matter of this European showdown with Barcelona.
Liverpool have never lost in four previous away meetings with Barca in all competitions – against no other side do they have a better unbeaten away record in all European competition (also four vs Porto).Ahead of their visit to Catalonia on Wednesday evening, Sports Mole looks at how Klopp could set up his side.