Jurgen Klopp faces another anxious wait over Roberto Firmino’s progress ahead of Liverpool resuming their Premier League title push at Newcastle.
The Brazilian was unable to start the midweek Champions League defeat at Barcelona as a result of a groin injury suffered in training.
And, despite featuring as a substitute in a 3-0 loss at Camp Nou, Firmino was spotted heading straight for the tunnel at full-time.
Asked whether his No.9 could return to the starting line-up on Sunday, Klopp offered a less-than-confident response, saying: “We will see, we will see.”
The German will definitely be unable to call on Naby Keita, whose season has been ended by an adductor injury picked up in the first 20 minutes on Wednesday.
Klopp said of his Guinean midfielder: “It was really unlucky. Bad news, he has a high grade adductor injury, the tendon is ruptured, which keeps him out for at least two months.
“Bad news for us obviously but bad news for Guinea as well because the Africa Cup of Nations is coming up.
“He was in a really good moment, but that’s how football and life sometimes is. Not too nice but very serious.”
However, the absence of Keita could provide an opportunity for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to return to the starting line-up.
The former Arsenal man made his first appearance in over a year during last weekend’s 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield, looking sharp during a brief cameo.
Klopp must now decided whether Oxlade-Chamberlain has sufficient match fitness to push for a place in his starting XI.
Predicted XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Salah, Mane, Origi.
