Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Roberto Firmino has an outside chance of playing against Watford this evening.
The Brazilian suffered an ankle injury against Manchester United at the weekend, and there were concerns he could be out for a while.
At his pre-match press conference yesterday, though, Klopp revealed the problem wasn’t as bad as first feared:
“We play tomorrow and it will be very close for that, but there’s a big chance for the derby [on Sunday].”
“Because it’s Bobby, I would say ‘yes [there is a chance for Watford]’, but I don’t know if I would use that chance because we played Sunday and then Wednesday immediately. Writing Bobby off is a big mistake because he recovers pretty quick.”
Fans on Twitter are delighted to hear that Firmino could be back very soon:
You just made my day ??❤️
— Mustafa Shamsi (@M_Shamsi80) 26 February 2019
YESSSSSS GREAT NEWS
— Axcil rukn al_diyn (@Axcil_Alg_) 26 February 2019
Good news
— Emeka Joseph (@AmbassadorJossy) 26 February 2019
Can’t be doing with Bobby injured. Relieved he’s OK.
— Denise Pennington (@Penningt1Denise) 26 February 2019
Golden boy ? keep it for Everton man
— Kop 1980 (@1989Kop) 26 February 2019
We need you Roberto Firmino. No one plays better combination play in the whole squad.
— Sandile Nxumalo ?? (@sandilecas) 26 February 2019
YESSSSSS ?❤️
— – ?????? ? (@offwhitebutera) 26 February 2019
I’d keep him back ready for Sunday, just to be safe. But relieved it wasn’t as bad as first feared.
— ? ?????♐?? (@Rakpenguin63) 26 February 2019
Quickest healer ”Roberto firmino”
— Rom ?? (@Rajanshahi09) 26 February 2019
W INCOMING!?
— Elliot Saunders (@ElliotSaunderss) 26 February 2019
As Klopp says, it’s more likely that the 27-year-old will start against Everton rather than play any part against the Hornets. Still, his quick return will certainly boost the Reds’ title bid.
In other injury news, Joe Gomez is expected to return to action within a month. The defender is currently recovering from surgery on a fractured leg but should be back after the international break to face Tottenham on March 31st.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also making good progress after ten months out with Klopp confirming that he is taking part in 70% of training sessions.
