#BARLIV: UCL: Good News For Barcelona As Liverpool Receive Very Bad News Few H To Kick-off

According to teamtalk and reports in Spain, Liverpool will be without Roberto Firmino when they take on Barcelona in the first leg of the champions league semi-final clash between the two sides.

The Reds take on the Catalan giants at the Nou Camp in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with doubts surrounding Firmino’s fitness. The forward missed Friday night’s thumping of Huddersfield and Jurgen Klopp was keeping his cards close to his chest on the player’s availability on Tuesday evening.

However, Spanish newspaper Cadena Ser claims Firmino has failed to pass a fitness test on his problematic groin problem and will be forced to miss out in the Nou Camp.

Despite taking part in training at Melwood on Tuesday, the 27-year-old has failed to improve according and will not feature for the Reds in their matchday squad, the Spanish source claims.

The 16-goal forward is vital to Klopp’s system and the Reds manager was reported to have put Divock Origi on standby for a rare start in the Nou Camp on the left of the attack, with Sadio Mane moved from the flank to a more central attacking role.

As it stands that remains the Plan B – Origi ahead of other option, Xherdan Shaqiri – with Firmino reportedly not fit enough to start. Xherdan Shaqiri being drafted into the side with Mohamed Salah starting centrally is another possibility.

There’s better news for Klopp, however, with the news that midfielder Fabinho is available for selection. Fabinho was not risked against Huddersfield after a blow to the head in the previous game.

Five-time champions Liverpool, who reached the final last year, are playing Barca in the semi-finals of a European competition for the third time but the first in the Champions League. The second leg takes place at Anfield next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Merseyside club have been forced to condemn the behaviour of some of their travelling supporters following a number of incidents in the city. Videos have emerged on social media of Liverpool supporters gathered in the main square, including one individual who appeared to shove at least one local bystander into a fountain.

Here’s the “Liverpool fan” who tripped a Barcelona local into the fountain.

Vile behaviour and not what the club is about at all.

Think @LFC should attempt to take this further, he doesn’t represent our fan base.

pic.twitter.com/QZWLF5gRrl

— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) April 30, 2019

In response to these images, the English giants have released a public statement ensuring that they are working hard to identify the culprits. “Liverpool Football Club is working with Merseyside Police and the authorities in Spain, who are endeavouring to identify those involved in the incident,” the statement read.

Liverpool are working with police to identify fans involved in an incident in Barcelona ahead of tonight's #UCL semi-final.

More: https://t.co/PpA8Ak3wox pic.twitter.com/QR8od2Pn9o

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 1, 2019

“Such behaviour is, clearly, totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. “It would be inappropriate to comment further while the situation is ongoing, other than to confirm the club will follow due process in any and all cases of this nature.”