Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has opened up on the decision to leave Roberto Firmino out of his starting line-up for the Champions League semi-final first leg at Barcelona.
The Reds are at the Camp Nou this evening for a massive encounter against the Spanish giants but will have to make do without Firmino from the start.
Firmino sustained the groin injury in training ahead of the Premier League match at home to Huddersfield Town at the weekend, with the Brazilian unable to recover in time to start against Barcelona.
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But the forward is on the bench for Liverpool, alongside the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson.
However, Klopp has confirmed that Firmino will still play a huge part against Barcelona and is technically 'fit to play'.
“Bobby wants to (play) and the medical department told me ‘yes, it’s good’ but then you have to make sure – I’m not sure if 90 minutes or whatever," Klopp explained.
“So he doesn’t have to start, that’s why we start like we start. Bobby is on the bench, that’s good news.”
Klopp added: “The boys are all in good shape. (But) Hendo played five games in a row, for example, and we play on Saturday and Tuesday.
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“Millie didn’t play for two games so it was clear we had to use him. Fabinho didn’t play for two games so it was clear we had to use him. Naby didn’t have that many games during the whole season, Gini didn’t play all the games.
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“That’s why midfield, where it’s really intense, is where we have to make sure we have legs there."
