Liverpool Star Duo Doubtful To Start Premier League Match On Saturday
REUTERS/Phil Noble
Liverpool are scheduled to take on an in-form Manchester United team in the Premier League following the international break, but the Reds’ boss, Jurgen Klopp, could be without his two key players, as per reports.
Brazilian stars Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho could miss the high profile clash against their arch-rivals next Saturday, as the duo faces “a real race against time” to be 100% fit before the fixture.
The Brazilian national team is currently preparing to face Bolivia on Thursday night. But the matter of concern for the Reds is Brazil’s second game against Chile in Sao Paulo, which takes place late on Tuesday evening, and would therefore give the duo just over three days to recover for the crucial Premier League match.
As per Metro, Firmino and Coutinho would be returning to Melwood on Thursday in a private jet in order to prepare for the 12.30 pm kick-off at Anfield on Saturday. And as a result, both stars might not be fully fit to start for Klopp in a match that the German manager would be ‘desperate’ to win.
Reuters / Lee Smith
Liverpool are currently seventh in the league table after just seven games, and are seven points behind United, who are level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table.
It was further reported that Klopp is said to be optimistic that the Brazilian national team manager, Tite, wouldn’t overexert Firmino and Coutinho, as the five-time World Cup winners have already qualified for the tournament in Russia.
Likewise, Red Devils’ boss Jose Mourinho also faces a similar problem with substitute captain and right-back Antonio Valencia. The 32-year-old is with the Ecuadorian national team, and is doubtful to start at Anfield due to a similar time constraint.
Written by Sidharth Jindal 
Sports fanatic with a passion for writing (predominantly football) and “Wants to live life to its fullest.” Writes about the Premier League on his personal blog.
