Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino's foot injury could keep him out for 'longer than expected', according to injury expert Ben Dinnery.
The Lowdown: Firmino missing due to foot injury
Jurgen Klopp has been fortunate in that department of late, having almost a full squad to choose from for some crucial Premier League and Champions League games.
With Divock Origi recovered after a brief illness, Firmino - who has been struggling with a foot issue since the middle of April, not appearing at all in that time - is the only Reds player currently absent.
The hope was that the Brazilian would be back available by now but he is still out for the Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Villarreal on Tuesday night.
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The Latest: Expert drops fresh Firmino injury claim
Speaking to Football Insider, Dinnery admitted that Firmino may simply be reacting slower than others in his recovery, with his return potentially still a way off. The injury expert outlined:
"Sometimes things can take longer than expected. He might have been expected to respond in a certain way and it hasn’t worked out like that.
"It is a science but not an exact science. Individuals respond to treatment in different ways. If you suffer a setback or reaction, you need to make sure you return pain-free.
"They aren’t just thinking about the next game. They have got the rest of the league campaign and possibly a Champions League final. It is better to take that additional recovery time than rush him back. They are well-stocked in those positions now anyway."
The Verdict: At least there's depth now
In the past, losing Firmino at such a massive point in the season would have felt fatal for Liverpool, considering how dependent they were on him, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane staying fit.
Thankfully, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have now provided Jurgen Klopp with some incredible squad depth, meaning the Brazil international isn't as badly missed, especially as he has arguably drifted past his absolute peak.
Nonetheless, the hope is that Firmino is back as soon as possible, allowing for squad rotation to come into play during Liverpool's quest for an unprecedented quadruple.
In other news, Fabrizio Romano has dropped an exciting Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.