Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino injuries hand Liverpool starlet Rhian Brewster big break against Barcelona
- Rhian Brewster is in line to make his senior Liverpool debut on the biggest stage
- Jurgen Klopp is concocting a plan to upset the odds against Barcelona
- Their hopes have been hit by injuries to Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino
Rhian Brewster is in line to make his senior Liverpool debut on the biggest stage as Jurgen Klopp concocts a plan to upset the odds.
Liverpool trail Barcelona 3-0 going into Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final second leg and Klopp’s hopes of closing the deficit have been hit with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino both out due to injury.
Klopp holds Brewster — England’s top scorer when they won the Under 17 World Cup in 2017 — in high regard. The 19-year-old missed most of the season with a knee injury but travelled to Newcastle with the squad on Saturday.
Rhian Brewster is in line to make his senior Liverpool debut on the biggest stage
He features in Jurgen Klopp’s plans to concoct an upset against the odds against Barcelona
Klopp is set to shake up his team with Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi options to start. When asked if Brewster would be involved, Klopp said: ‘Yes, there is a big chance. He’s ready. Next season he will be playing 100 per cent and he knows that.’
Salah suffered concussion in the 3-2 win at St James’ Park but will be back for Sunday’s final Premier League game against Wolves.
‘Mo feels OK but that is not good enough from a medical point of view,’ Klopp said. ‘He is desperate to play, but we cannot do it.’
Xherdan Shaqiri is in line to start due to injuries to Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino
Divock Origi (right) could also be handed a starting role for the second leg on Tuesday night
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a doubt for the game, having trained alone on Monday after tweaking a muscle in the warm-up at Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Luis Suarez has vowed not to celebrate with the same vigour he did in Barcelona should his return to Anfield see him score again.
‘Celebrating the goal? People who know about football know the importance of this goal,’ said Suarez.
‘I have all the respect in the world for the Liverpool fans. I scored and celebrated with my fans. I say sorry (if anyone was offended). If I score a goal against Liverpool at Anfield I won’t celebrate it in the same way.’