Manchester City could have been handed a boost in the Premier League title race after Jurgen Klopp confirmed two Liverpool players were struggling with fitness before midfielder Naby Keita was injured against Barcelona.
Klopp had confirmed that influential pair Roberto Firmino and Trent Alexander-Arnold were not fit enough to start their Champions League semi-final at Barcelona, and Liverpool suffered a further worry when Keita had to be replaced after 20 minutes.
With Liverpool facing Barcelona over two legs in the next two weeks, City already have the advantage of having two full weeks to prepare for their final two Premier League fixtures compared to their rivals.
And now, Liverpool appear to have fitness concerns in Firmino and Alexander-Arnold, who have both been key players in the Reds' title challenge. Keita had found form in recent weeks and will also be a worry ahead of the final two league games.
City lead Liverpool by a point at the top of the Premier League, with fixtures against Leicester and Brighton remaining. Liverpool travel to Newcastle before hosting Wolves, but must also negotiate the Champions League semi-final.
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So City will have seen Klopp's teamsheet for Liverpool's first leg in Barcelona with interest, as Firmino and Alexander-Arnola were only named on the bench.
And Klopp confirmed there were concerns over their fitness as he spoke to BT Sport before the match.
He said: “That’s how it is with the short periods between the games – you cannot be sure.
“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.
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“So he doesn’t have to start, that’s why we start like we start. Bobby is on the bench, that’s good news.
“It’s the same for Trent; it was clear when Joe [Gomez] would be available again that there would be a game and I think today it makes absolute sense in that position.
“For Trent it’s good, he can refresh a little bit, there are important games to come.”
