Huge blow for Liverpool: Key attacker deemed unfit for Barca clash

May 1, 2019 By Ali M.

Topics: Roberto Firmino, Jurgen Klopp, Barcelona, Liverpool, UEFA Champions League

The Reds will take to the Camp Nou later today, but one ace looks set to miss out on the first-leg game.

Liverpool's is gearing up for, in the words of Jurgen Klopp, their biggest game of the season. The Reds will take to Camp Nou for a highly-anticipated Champions League first-leg showdown with Barcelona in the semi-finals.

Unfortunately, one key player looks set to miss out on the first leg. That man is none other than Roberto Firmino, the influential forward in Liverpool's deadly attacking trio.

The Brazilian has been struggling with a groin problem and even missed their weekend victory over Huddersfield in the Premier League as a result. The Selecao ace was included in the squad for Wednesday's game and has made the trip to Catalonia, but Klopp confessed to the club's official website that he might not be 100 percent ready despite the early positive signs.

Speaking on Tuesday, the German boss had this to say about Firmino's situation: "We all knew from the beginning it would be a race. We don't have to make a decision today because there's no game today, we can wait. It looked good so far but until tomorrow I have to make that decision – after lunchtime tomorrow. That's what I will do."

However, according to Cadena Ser, the attacker has failed to pass the fitness test and will thus not feature at Camp Nou. If true, the manager will have to decide between playing Sturridge, Origi, or deploying Shaqiri on the wing and pushing Salah into that central role.

Roberto Firmino will NOT PLAY tomorrow at the Camp Nou. The Brazilian has undergone a test today and is not ready to play the game

ÚLTIMA HORA | Informa @brunoalemany. Roberto Firmino NO JUGARÁ mañana en el Camp Nou. El brasileño ha pasado una prueba hoy y no está listo para jugar el partido https://t.co/hebauP2LYV pic.twitter.com/GwaGQD8g64
— El Larguero (@ellarguero) April 30, 2019

Firmino has been a key member of Jurgen's front three this season. Despite scoring only 16 goals across all competitions, four of those came in Europe, including that crucial winner against PSG in the group stage.

His absence would be a huge blow for the Merseyside giant as they aim to come away from Barcelona with a positive result. The task will now be harder.