Roberto Firmino admits that he feared going blind in one eye after a gruesome clash with Jan Vertonghen during Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham last month.
Having scored what proved to be Liverpool’s winning goal, Firmino was substituted in the 74th minute at Wembley and taken to hospital for assessment after Vertonghen’s index finger poked into his left eye socket as the two men tussled for a loose ball.
Subsequent tests confirmed no lasting damage and Firmino returned to action in spectacular fashion three days later, coming off the substitutes’ bench to score the goal that earned Liverpool a dramatic 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain in an entertaining Champions League clash at Anfield.
But at the time the incident occurred, Firmino has revealed that he feared the worst. “I was scared of going blind in one eye and not being able to see again,” he told Sky Sports. “Thank God nothing like that happened and it gradually improved day after day.
“Of course, I've been taking my medication and looking after it. Your eyes are very important as a professional footballer. Thank God everything is OK now.
“I was frightened, but the pain gradually passed after the doctor gave me a painkiller and it got better. When the incident happened, everything was blurry and I couldn't see out of my left eye.
“It's much better. The pain has gone and I can't feel anything anymore. It's still a bit red, but I hope that clears up over time.”
Firmino is expected to start up front for Liverpool this weekend when Premier League champions Manchester City visit Anfield, despite the impressive recent form of Daniel Sturridge.
The Brazilian joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim in June 2015 for a fee of £29 million and has transformed himself from an attacking midfielder into an elite striker and tireless focal point of Jurgen Klopp’s pressing system, registering two goals and two assists in seven Premier League appearances this season.
