“It’s very serious” – Liverpool boss confirms major injury blow + latest on Firmino

Liverpool will be desperate to reclaim top spot and put the pressure on Manchester City with a win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday evening.

Ahead of the game, Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning and he’s provided a team news and injury update including the latest on Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino.

Keita started for Liverpool during their Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday night but the midfielder was forced off after just 24 minutes and looked distraught when he was replaced by Jordan Henderson.

The 24-year-old was spotted limping heavily when he walked to the team coach after the game and reports surfaced on Thursday suggesting that Keita had been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, Klopp has now confirmed the bad news after revealing today that Keita has suffered a ‘very serious’ adductor injury that will rule him out for at least two months.

Obviously that means the midfielder will miss Liverpool’s remaining Premier League games against Newcastle and Wolves as well as the return leg against Barcelona and any possible Champions League final.

However, Keita will also be forced to miss this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt so it’s no surprise that Klopp says the Guinea international is ‘not in the best moment’.

The Reds boss also suggested that Firmino would be assessed ahead of Saturday’s trip to Newcastle after he was rushed back from a groin injury to play the final 20 minutes against Barcelona in midweek.

Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com:

“It was really unlucky. Bad news, he has a high-grade Adductor injury; the tendon is ruptured, which keeps him out for at least two months. Bad news for us obviously, but bad news for Guinea as well because the Africa Cup of Nations is coming up.

“He was in a really good moment – a really, really good moment – but it happened, that’s how football and life sometimes are. It’s not too nice, but it’s very serious.”

“I’m sure he’s not in the best moment but he’s OK. I think there are two things – a very interesting part of the season and he is not part of [it], that’s one thing.

“On the other hand, I don’t think Guinea are a regular starter for the Africa Cup of Nations, so I’m sure that was a big, big target for him as well. Of course, he is not in a good moment, but that’s the moment when you have to help the players and we will try everything we can.”

“We will see, we will see [if Firmino will be available to face Newcastle]”

Klopp didn’t give any update on the fitness of Adam Lallana after he missed the Barcelona game with a muscle injury so it remains to be seen whether the midfielder will be available for the trip to St James’ Park.

Liverpool head to the north-east sitting one point behind leaders Man City so they can reclaim top spot and put the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s men with a win over Newcastle on Saturday ahead of City’s clash with Leicester.