LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Liverpool must turn to unlikely heroes to overturn a 3-0 Champions League semi-final, first leg deficit against Barcelona on Tuesday (May 7) according to defender Trent Alexander-Arnold after top scorer Mohamed Salah was ruled out with concussion.
Roberto Firmino will also be absent against the Spanish champions leaving Jurgen Klopp without two of his most potent weapons for an already massive challenge.
"Obviously we've got two of our main goalscorers out, but it also presents an opportunity for some of the other lads to come in, make a name for themselves and make themselves heroes," said Alexander-Arnold.
"If we do overturn the deficit tomorrow then whoever scores, their name will always be remembered because I am sure it will be one of those really special nights."
Salah was stretchered off during Liverpool's tense 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday that kept alive their chances of a first Premier League title in 29 years after colliding with Magpies' goalkeeper Martin Dubravka for a high ball.
"It's a concussion so that means he would not even be allowed to play," said Klopp at his pre-match press conference on Monday.
"He feels OK but it is not good enough from a medical point of view that is all. He's desperate (to play) but we cannot do it."
Klopp was realistic at his side's chances of progressing to a second consecutive Champions League final, but refused to give up hope with Liverpool's history of European comebacks.
"Together with our supporters it was a long season and there is at least a little chance to make it even longer," added Klopp.
"Two of the world's best strikers are not available tomorrow night and we have to score four goals against Barcelona to go through after 90 minutes.
"It doesn't make life easier, but as long as we have 11 players on the pitch, we will try it." - Anfield an extra man - Luis Suarez scored the opening goal against his former club in last week's first leg at the Camp Nou, but ahead of his return to Anfield, the Uruguayan warned his current teammates of the lift playing on home soil will give Liverpool.
"To play at Anfield is like playing with an extra man for what the fans transmit to the Liverpool players," said Suarez.
And Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde believes attack will be the best form of defence as if the Catalans get an away goal, Liverpool will need to score five.
"What we have to do is score," said Valverde.
Suarez will be joined by Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho on his return to Anfield after a £142 million (S$254 million) move to Barca from Liverpool last year.
But Ousmane Dembele is absent for the visitors due to a hamstring injury and Valverde believes the Frenchman's absence will be felt just as much as Salah and Firmino.
"We don't want any player to be injured. It would have been extraordinary to see them all on the field. They are all important," he added.
"Dembele's absence is a problem. Against a team that concedes space (in behind) it is always important to have player like Ousmane."
Relatives raise funds to continue search for missing footballer Emiliano Sala Tributes left outside Cardiff City Stadium for Emiliano Sala, whose plane disappeared from the radar over the English
Emiliano Sala: missing pilot's family raise funds for search
de Gea: Manchester United keeper gives Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dilemma
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said all the right things afterwards. He still "trusts" De Gea. No-one should "blame him" for dropping points. "David has been unbelievable for this club," said the Norwegian. "We support each other. There is no chance anyone can blame him for losing points. "He knows he could have had that shot, but that is
Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min told his South Korea team-mates "we're better than that" after they needed extra time to scrape past Bahrain's part-timers 2-1 in the Asian Cup last 16 on Tuesday.
Son 'unhappy' as Koreans given fright by Bahrain's part-timers
Andre Gray came off the bench to fire Watford into the FA Cup semi-finals with the late winner in their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday. Javi Gracia's side took the lead through Etienne Capoue's first half strike before Michy Batshuayi equalised for Palace after the interval.
Super-sub Gray sends Watford into FA Cup semis - World Soccer
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/16/super-sub-gray-sends-watford-into-fa-cup-semis/
Super-sub Gray sends Watford into FA Cup semis AFP March 16, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Andre Gray came off the bench to fire Watford into the FA Cup semi-finals with the late winner in their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Super-sub Gray sends Watford into FA Cup semis - en.rfi.fr
en.rfi.fr/wire/20190316-super-sub-gray-sends-watford-fa-cup-semis
Super-sub Gray sends Watford into FA Cup semis. Andre Gray came off the bench to fire Watford into the FA Cup semi-finals with the late winner in their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Super-sub Gray sends Watford into FA Cup semis
Football: Milan draw another blank in Frosinone stalemate as
Posts filtered by tags Blog - Football Asia . India fell into the trap of playing for the draw that would have taken them through to the knockout stages, and in the end it cost them as captain on the night Pronay Halder gave away a penalty in the first minute of stoppage time.
Qualifiers - Latest News on Qualifiers | Read Breaking News
Gareth Bale is still "100 per cent" committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, the Wales star's agent insisted on Monday. Former Tottenham winger Bale has been linked with a
Gareth Bale is 100% committed to Real Madrid, insists agent
Sarri livid over Burnley insult, Football News & Top Stories
middleeast-armscontrol.com/2019/04/sarri-livid-over-burnley-insult-football-news-top-stories/
Sarri livid over Burnley insult, Football News & Top Stories Darrin Ford The Football Association will review Kevin Friend's match report before deciding whether to investigate claims Maurizio Sarri was repeatedly racially abused by members of Burnley's backroom staff.
Sarri livid over Burnley insult - theworldnews.net
Real Madrid News: Santiago Solari 'trusts' VAR after Ajax win - Nicolas Tagliafico saw his opener ruled out due to a marginal offside call, a decision that Madrid's boss believes was correct Santiago Solari said head co - February 14th, 2019
Real Madrid News: Santiago Solari 'trusts' VAR after Ajax win
Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge into top four Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blamed Manchester United's lack of ruthlessness as the Norwegian suffered his first domestic defeat as caretaker manager in a 2-0 loss at Arsenal on Sunday.
Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge
Birmingham hit with nine-point deduction after breaching financial rules Posted on March 22, 2019 by yasir kaneria in Football , Sports The Championship side broke the EFL's profitability and sustainability regulations and faced a possible 12-point deduction and a transfer ban.
Birmingham hit with nine-point deduction - Football Paradise
'Ask me at the end of April and I will answer you': Pep Guardiola coy on Quadruple talk after Manchester City squeeze past Swansea in the FA Cup. Manchester City kept their Quadruple ambition on
Home » News » Sports » Liverpool held at Everton to surrender top spot in Premier League. Liverpool held at Everton to surrender top spot in Premier League round football match between
Football: Liverpool held at Everton to surrender top spot in
0 comments:
Post a Comment