Roberto Firmino is a doubt for Liverpool’s opening Champions League group match with Paris Saint-Germain due to the eye abrasion he suffered against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
The Brazil international sustained the injury in a gruesome clash with Jan Vertonghen during Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Wembley, in which the Tottenham defender’s finger became jammed in his left eye socket as the pair tussled for the ball.
Having scored what proved to be Liverpool’s winning goal, Firmino was substituted immediately following the incident in the 74th minute and taken for specialist assessment at Moorfields Eye Hospital, where an examination revealed no lasting damage.
A statement on Liverpool’s official website read: “The issue will be monitored and treated by Liverpool’s medical staff at Melwood before any decision is made on whether Firmino will be able to figure in Tuesday evening’s Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield. At this stage, the No.9 has not been ruled out.
“Firmino travelled back to Merseyside separately from his teammates with club doctor Andy Massey following the positive assessment.
“The players and staff onboard the club flight back to Liverpool sent the Brazilian a video wishing him well, recorded on the team plane.”
Firmino contributed 10 goals and seven assists on Liverpool’s run to last season’s Champions League final, in addition to the 15 goals and seven assists he registered in the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp’s men have been drawn in the same group as PSG, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade.
