The Brazilian was sent to hospital for tests, which showed an abrasion but no lasting damage, though Klopp admitted in his pre-match press conference that he was unsure if Firmino would be able to play against the French champions.
Firmino has been a crucial part of Liverpool’s ferociousness in attack and will leave a big void if he is absent, but Klopp has several options to choose from…
LIKE-FOR-LIKE SWAP WITH STURRIDGE
With Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi carrying knocks, Liverpool only have one fit striker to replace Firmino: Daniel Sturridge. The forward has looked useful in his cameos so far this season, and Klopp is supremely confident he will be ready to face PSG.
Sturridge’s link play is often undervalued, and while he is not as adept at dropping deep as Firmino, he will still allow Liverpool to stick with the same 4-3-3 system that has worked so well, also allowing Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to break forward.
SALAH THROUGH THE MIDDLE
Rather than bring in Sturridge, Klopp could instead opt to play Xherdan Shaqiri on the right wing and move Salah more central; the Egyptian often drifts through the middle in matches, with Firmino moving wide to cover.
However, a front three of Salah, Mane and Shaqiri could lack some of the work rate and pressing that is so characteristic of Liverpool’s play under Klopp, and allow PSG greater control than the German coach would ideally like.
MIDFIELD DIAMOND
Another potential, though somewhat unlikely, option for Klopp would be not to replace Firmino with another attacker at all, and instead add another midfielder to replicate the Brazilian’s link play, work rate and hard pressing.
A four-man diamond midfield could stifle and overwhelm PSG in the middle of the pitch and grant Mane and Salah a degree of freedom going forward, though there would be huge demands placed on the full-backs to provide width.
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