Liverpool will not be panicking despite the fact that Roberto Firmino appears to have suffered a setback ahead of the clash with Tottenham, according to injury expert Ben Dinnery.
The Lowdown: Big concerns
The Brazilian has been ruled out of action ever since he sustained a foot injury during the Reds’ 3-2 FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City last month, but Jurgen Klopp had previously claimed that the 30-year-old was ready to come back into contention for the Merseyside derby against Everton in April.
However, the German boss has since revealed that Firmino will be out for longer than he initially thought, and Dinnery, who runs the popular Premier Injuries site, has suggested that it would be wise to not rush the forward back as he continues his recovery.
The Latest: Reaction to treatment
When asked about why he thinks the 55-cap international has suffered a bigger reaction than normal, Dinnery told Football Insider’s Adam Williams: “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.
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“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.”
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The Verdict: UCL final return?
Firmino has been a key player for Liverpool ever since joining the club in a £25m move from Hoffenheim in 2015, going on to make an outstanding 171 goal contributions in just 323 outings during that time.
Whilst the £34.2m-rated talisman has been a huge miss in recent weeks, the Reds have got plenty of cover in that department in the form of Diogo Jota, with Sadio Mane also thriving in a centre-forward role of late.
Hailed as being an “unsung hero” by BBC pundit Noel Whelan, the club will be hoping that Firmino will be available for selection again in time for the Champions League final on May 28th, where the Anfield outfit will be looking to get their hands on another piece of silverware in the hunt to achieve that unprecedented quadruple.
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