Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been dealt a blow as team news comes out of Anfield ahead of this afternoon’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
The Lowdown: Liverpool eye first trophy of 2022…
The Reds have one eye on clinching League Cup glory as they aim to kickstart 2022 on a high, coming amid their Premier League title race with rivals Manchester City.
Klopp’s men fell six points behind on Saturday evening after the Sky Blues’ 1-0 victory away to Everton, but with a game in hand, Liverpool can feasibly claw that back. Alas, all focus for now must be on today’s efforts for silverware.
Liverpool could even overtake City today in terms of EFL Cup triumphs, with both clubs currently locked on eight trophy lifts each in the competition.
As pre-Chelsea team news comes to light, though, it appears that Klopp is set to be without one man.
The Latest: Liverpool dealt Firmino blow…
As confirmed by the club and relayed by Reds journalist David Lynch, Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is ‘out of the League Cup final‘.
Meanwhile, Diogo Jota isn’t entirely ruled out but remains a doubt for the big encounter today.
The Verdict: Bad news for Klopp…
Despite only playing 15 Premier League games this season, Firmino has missed a large portion of minutes due to various fitness issues (Transfermarkt).
He still comes as an important player to Liverpool and Klopp, as evident by his three goals in four Champions League matches over 2021/22, including a brilliant big-game header in the last 16 against Inter Milan recently.
Fenway Sports Group are also looking to tie down the 30-year-old to a new contract ahead of the summer transfer window, highlighting how highly he is regarded at Anfield.
Speaking to Football Insider recently, ex-West Ham striker Frank McAvennie lauded the Brazilian as a ‘vital’ player for Klopp despite not getting an abundance of goals, mainly due to his unrivalled link-up play.
Speaking to the press earlier this season, Klopp also raved over the ‘really important’ star and ‘best offensive defender’ he has ever seen (via SBNation).
Missing Firmino as an option surely comes as a blow for the Reds today, especially against European champions Chelsea.
In other news: FSG now eyeing ‘ice-cold’ £50m man who’s ‘open’ to joining Liverpool, find out more here.
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