Jurgen Klopp says he will wait until Tuesday to make a final decision on whether Roberto Firmino can be involved for Liverpool in their Champions League opener against Paris Saint-Germain.
Firmino has been monitored closely by Liverpool’s medical staff since being substituted with an eye injury after a gruesome clash with Jan Vertonghen during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham at Wembley, in which the Belgian defender’s finger appeared to poke into his left eye socket.
Subsequent scans at Moorfields Eye Hospital revealed no lasting damage, but Klopp is not yet sure whether Firmino will be ready to take on PSG at Anfield.
Asked if the Brazil international will be fit in a press conference on Monday, Klopp replied: “No, not definitely. If the game was today, no chance. But tomorrow there's a chance. We were all shocked [after the game]. When we made at contact at the hospital it was a relief.
“He will be fine but we don't know exactly when. We will see how it develops.”
Firmino was replaced by Jordan Henderson in the 74th minute as Klopp looked to protect his lead at Wembley, but Daniel Sturridge is likely to get the nod up front if the Brazilian is unavailable.
“He will be ready,” Klopp said of Sturridge. “If we are short of options, he will be ready. But there's no issue with the first line-up.”
Liverpool have been given a difficult Champions League group featuring PSG, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade as they attempt to go one better than last season's agonising final loss, and Klopp is well aware that his team face their toughest test of the season so far against the French giants.
"Everyone knows the quality of this team," he added. "They have unbelievable quality. It will be an interesting game for sure. The players they have, the manager they have, they all brought it together to go as far as possible in the Champions League.
"If we want to win a game, we don't need to be the outsider. We just have to want to win the game. We play at Anfield. It can be an advantage and we want to use that. We can use any help we can get!"
Klopp also dismissed the notion that Brazilian superstar Neymar's perceived propensity for diving, which became a recurring theme during last summer's World Cup, as anything that should be on the minds of his players.
"I don't follow things like that," the Liverpool manager insisted. "When I saw a few games at the World Cup, when it looked like he made more of a situation than it seemed, for me I understand as players were going for him.
"[But] He doesn't have to worry [against us]. We won't go him. We don't try to act in this way. We want to play football.
"It's impossible to avoid his quality. He's an outstanding player."
