Jurgen Klopp confirms Liverpool star will be fit to face Man Utd & hints at who will start in defence

The Liverpool manager gave updates on Roberto Firmino and Joe Gomez in his pre-Manchester United press conference.
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Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Roberto Firmino will be fit to face Manchester United on Monday.

The Liverpool forward missed the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at the start of the week due to injury.

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It meant that in the build-up to the clash with United at Old Trafford, Klopp had just two confirmed forwards to choose from - Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz - but Firmino’s return will be a huge boost for the Liverpool manager.

“Bobby is ready,” Klopp said in Friday’s press conference.

Darwin Nunez is out for the trip to Old Trafford due to the red card he received against Palace, while Diogo Jota is missing through injury.

Roberto Firmno is expected to start against Manchester United. Credit: Getty.Roberto Firmno is expected to start against Manchester United. Credit: Getty.
Roberto Firmno is expected to start against Manchester United. Credit: Getty.

The  Portugal forward is one of eight confirmed injuries for Liverpool at present, with Thiago, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate among those suffering from issues.

Klopp confirmed on Friday that none of those players will return in time for Monday’s game, but does have some good news at centre-back with Joe Gomez fully available again.

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The defender was deemed not ready to start against Palace and was introduced in the second half alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defence.

Joe Gomez came on in the second half against Palace. Credit: Getty.Joe Gomez came on in the second half against Palace. Credit: Getty.
Joe Gomez came on in the second half against Palace. Credit: Getty.

However, the former Borussia Dortmund boss said Gomez is ready to play at Old Trafford and even hinted he might start.

“It is an opportunity [with Matip and Konate out]. He was out, he was really unlucky last week because he only had a little thing. I had to make a decision and he only came back to training the day before the [Palace] game. We put Nat Phillips in and I thought he had a really good game.

“He [Gomez] looks good in training. He’s back, he was in the squad last week and is back in completely normal training. Hopefully he stays like this and he will start.”