Liverpool vs Barcelona: Rhian Brewster set for substitute spot with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino missing

Rhian Brewster could make his senior debut for Liverpool from the substitutes' bench in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

Brewster is expected to be named in Jurgen Klopp's matchday squad, with both Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino missing from Liverpool’s first-choice forward line.

Salah was ruled out on Monday after suffering a concussion in the second half of Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle United.

According to Fifa protocols, a concussed player must wait at least six days before returning to competitive action.

Firmino, meanwhile, has not recovered from a groin injury in time to play, having only been fit enough to appear off the bench at the Nou Camp.

Liverpool are hoping to become only the third team of the Champions League era to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit and, given Salah and Firmino’s absences, may be forced to call upon Brewster.

When asked whether the 19-year-old striker might be involved in the squad, Klopp said: “There is a big chance. It’s nearly sure. It’s guaranteed. And he’s ready.

“The situations are always like this. In an ideal world, in a season you always have much more players than you can involve in a squad.”

Brewster – winner of the Golden Boot with England at the 2017 Under-17 World Cup – is highly thought-of at Anfield but his progression to Klopp’s first team was delayed by a serious ankle injury last year.

The youngster is still waiting for a first senior appearance but that could well change on Tuesday night and Klopp has every confidence that Brewster is ready to make the step up.

“Rhian has now arrived with us after being heavily injured,” the Liverpool manager said. “Day by day, he has got better and better and he has been in just outstanding shape for the last three or four weeks but the other players were there as well.”

“Next season he will be playing 100 per cent and he knows that. I have told him already.

“It’s just good so now it’s really nice in a difficult situation that we can give him that spot in the squad and have him there to bring on as a striker. When you’re on the bench, you are an option to play.”