Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Roberto Firmino is likely to miss Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg with Villarreal at Anfield.
The Brazilian attacker bagged a brace in the 3-3 quarter-final second-leg draw with Benfica earlier this month but has since missed his side's last two games with a foot injury.
Firmino was thought to have had a chance of returning for the visit of the Yellow Submarine, but Klopp is not optimistic about the 30-year-old's availability for the first leg.
"I don't think [he is ready] yet. He is running outside and that's good, obviously, but I am not sure," Klopp told liverpoolfc.com after his pre-match press conference.
"Maybe somebody will surprise me afterwards and tell me, 'Yes, Bobby is in.' [I will have] open arms, but I don't think so. Apart from that, no [new injuries] that I know yet."
Firmino has endured a difficult period of injuries during the 2021-22 season but has still managed to chalk up 11 goals and four assists in 31 appearances across all tournaments.
Klopp has also insisted that his side will not underestimate Unai Emery's Villarreal, who have knocked Juventus and Bayern Munich out of the tournament to reach the semi-finals.
Ben Knapton
