Liverpool will be hoping to avoid any slip ups to ensure they collect all three points when they host struggling Everton at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday as they continue to go neck-and-neck with Manchester City for the title.
The Reds have been majorly boosted by the return of all their injured players of late but there was one key figure missing from Tuesday’s 4-0 victory over Manchester United, as Roberto Firmino was forced out through injury.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at Anfield as well as the expected return date of Liverpool ’s Brazilian striker.
Firmino may not be the most prolific goalscorer in Liverpool’s team but he remains one of the most influential performers under Jurgen Klopp due to his role within the side as a false no. 9, and has still recorded 11 goals and four assists in all competitions this season.
And as recently as last week, he scored a brace against Benfica at Anfield in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg, with the Reds progressing through to the final four after a 6-4 aggregate win over their Portuguese opposition.
The Brazilian then came on for the final five minutes of his side’s 3-2 victory over Man City in their FA Cup semi-final tie at Wembley on Saturday, before he was then ruled out of the north west derby with Man United just three days later with a foot injury.
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Thankfully for the Reds, they are blessed with a number of options in the forward area, with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz all able to rotate in the final third with each passing game, but Klopp would still much rather have all five of his attacking options available.
Firmino’s foot injury isn’t thought to be too serious and there is a good chance that he will be able to return to action this weekend, with Klopp revealing in Friday’s pre-match press conference that it is all down to the 30-year-old as to whether he will play or not. However, he will face a late fitness test ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby.
Speaking on Friday, Klopp said: "Bobby is getting better and better. It’s uncomfortable, painful. It’s still two days to go so maybe, if Bobby gives the thumbs up then he may be involved. We’ll wait for that but I think after a few days that will be possible. "
Liverpool head into this weekend’s fixture with Frank Lampard’s side in second place in the league, just one point behind Pep Guardiola’s table toppers with six games to go as the two sides have become involved in one of the greatest top flight title races in history.
City play on Saturday when they host relegation battlers Watford at the Etihad Stadium, where three points for them will be the most likely outcome, meaning that the pressure will be on the Reds to stay within touching distance by picking up a victory themselves 24 hours later.
Liverpool should be more than capable of beating the Toffees with the current crop available, but Klopp will no doubt want Firmino as an option from the bench should things become difficult, and it is now a matter of time as to whether the Brazilian will be able to feature.
