English Soccer News

Firmino misses out, Ox returns to squad

Roberto Firmino misses Liverpool’s third-last Premier League clash against Huddersfield tonight, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back in the squad.

Firmino is absent due to injury, with reports unclear as to the severity of his problem, which has prompted Jurgen Klopp into a rejig this evening.

The manager has stressed the importance of Liverpool taking six points from their next two league games in order to set up an anything-goes final day on May 12.

And as such, he has named a strong side to take on the already-relegated Terriers despite Firmino being forced to miss the matchday squad.

Alisson continues in goal, behind a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dejan Lovren, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

In midfield, Gini Wijnaldum is set to take up the No. 6 role, to be joined by Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita.

And in attack, the absence of Firmino means Daniel Sturridge is handed a start, alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

The hugely positive news before kickoff is that Oxlade-Chamberlain has been named on the teamsheet for the first time since the 5-2 victory over AS Roma at Anfield a year and two days ago.

Liverpool’s No. 21 has worked his way back to full fitness after a serious knee injury, and after a string of appearances for the under-23s is now considered fit enough for the first team.

Understandably, Klopp will remain cautious with the 25-year-old, and expectations should be tempered if he comes off the bench.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Mane, Sturridge

Substitutes: Mignolet, Matip, Gomez, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri, Origi

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