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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tom Doyle

Liverpool youngsters Ben Woodburn and Rhian Brewster on bench vs Barcelona

Jurgen Klopp has named two young Liverpool forwards on his bench against Barcelona tonight, with Rhian Brewster and Ben Woodward among the substitutes at Anfield.

With Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino ruled out of tonight's Champions League semi-final second leg, Klopp has opted to hand rare starts to Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri alongside Sadio Mane in attack.

But with his forward options stretched to the limit, Klopp has called up Brewster and Woodburn - both 19 - to his matchday squad, and will be hoping that they will be able to make an impact off the bench should he need it.

Woodburn - who has played 11 times for Liverpool - is currently Wales' second-youngest-ever goalscorer - only behind Gareth Bale - after hitting the target at 17 years old back in 2017.

The youngster moved on loan to Sheffield United at the start of the 2018-19 season, but failed to score in seven appearances and returned to Anfield in December after suffering an ankle injury.

(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Brewster is highly rated at Anfield, and could make his Liverpool debut tonight if he comes on. The forward won the Golden Boot at the Fifa U17 World Cup in 2017, with his eight goals helping England to win the tournament.

Brewster signed a long-term contract with Liverpool last summer, but missed the chance to break into the first team after suffering a serious ankle injury earlier this season.

(PA)

Daniel Sturridge is also among the substitutes after failing to make an impact during Saturday's 3-2 win at Newcastle United. Given that Salah and Firmino are out, Sturridge's failure to start could well spell the end of his Liverpool career.

There was better news for Liverpool fans as Virgil van Dijk was passed fit after missing training on Monday, although Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - who missed training as well - is out altogether.

Liverpool v Barcelona: Champions League semi-final preview

Jordan Henderson starts in midfield along with Fabinho and James Milner, with Naby Keita set to be out for two months due to injury.

Liverpool trail Barcelona 3-0 on aggregate heading into tonight's second leg, with Lionel Messi hitting a brace and Luis Suarez scoring against his former club as Klopp's men wasted a number of gilt-edged chances at Camp Nou.

Liverpool vs Barcelona line-ups

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Milner, Henderson, Mane, Shaqiri, Origi

Subs: Mignolet, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Gomez, Sturridge, Brewster, Woodburn

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Vidal, Messi, Suarez, Coutinho

Subs: Cillessen, Semedo, Umtiti, Vermaelen, Arthur, Alena, Malcom

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