Liverpool Lose Salah And Firmino To Injury Ahead Of Barca Tie

By Max Wise

Liverpool will be without key frontmen, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, for their crucial UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg game against Spanish champions Barcelona at Anfield on Tuesday.

Salah suffered concussion in Liverpool’s 3-2 away win at Newcastle United on Saturday following a collision with the home side’s goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka.

After a lengthy treatment on the pitch, Salah was replaced by Divock Origi, who went on to score the winner.

Roberto Firmino, meanwhile, missed the game entirely, and was only fit to play the final eleven minutes in last week’s 3-0 loss to Barcelona in the semi-final first leg at the Camp Nou.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed at the news conference ahead of Tuesday’s game that Salah and Firmino, who have contributed 42 goals between them this season, will be unavailable as the Reds try to overturn a three-goal deficit.

"Two of the world's best strikers are not available tomorrow night and we have to score four goals," said Klopp.

"It doesn't make life easier but we will try for 90 minutes to celebrate the Champions League campaign to give it a proper finish.

"That's the plan. If we can do it, wonderful. If we can't do it, let's fail in the most beautiful way."

Barcelona fielded a second string side in their La Liga game against Celta Vigo at the weekend while Liverpool were at full strength in their game against the Magpies, meaning the visitors will be well rested in addition to their healthy first leg advantage.