Liverpool team news: Roberto Firmino could face Watford as Jurgen Klopp issues update on ankle injury
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has issued a positive update on the fitness of striker Roberto Firmino by revealing that the ankle injury suffered in Sunday’s draw with Manchester United is not as bad as initially feared.
The 27-year-old limped out of Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Old Trafford just after the half-hour mark, and fears immediately arose that he could miss this weekend’s Merseyside derby if the issue proved serious.
However, Liverpool manager Klopp revealed on Tuesday afternoon that Firmino could yet play a part in Wednesday night’s visit of Watford to Anfield, ensuring that he should recover well in time to feature in the Merseyside derby.
“He looks good, we were obviously lucky,” said a relieved Klopp. “It is not as serious as we thought in the first moment, but if Bobby leaves the pitch it is not a good sign.
“We play tomorrow and it will be very close for that, but there’s still a chance for the derby [on Sunday].
“Because it’s Bobby, I would say ‘yes [there is a chance for Watford]’, but I don’t know if I would use that chance.
“Writing Bobby off is a big mistake because he recovers very quick.”
Klopp also revealed that Naby Keita is back in training after suffering from illness on Monday, but the midfielder will need to be assessed on his recovery before being made available for selection for Wednesday’s fixture.
Andrew Robertson should be fit for the match that, depending on Manchester City’s result against West Ham United, could see Liverpool go four points clear at the top of the Premier League.
But the match will come too soon for Dejan Lovren, with the centre-back not expected to recover from his hamstring injury until early March, while Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain long-term absentees.
