Roberto Firmino was never likely to be part of League Cup final squad, and it would be some time before he returns from injury.
Bobby Firmino suffered a groin injury in a Premier League match against Inter Milan. Subsequently he was ousted from the matchday squad from then. However, Jurgen Klopp had hinted that Firmino might feature against Chelsea in the League Cup final. But he was unable to make the squad in that game.
Pep Lijnders also said
Indicating that Firmino was close to fitness. However, Firmino has a groin injury. Thus, he was never going to make the squad, barring a miracle. Naturally, the question arises, why did Liverpool pursue this narrative?
‘Firmino Injury’, a ploy?
Even though Firmino is far from his sterling best, he is still a hard-working and selfless athlete. Bobby offers a high work rate and link-up plays that help Liverpool going forward. He also has the positional sense of a world-class poacher, which was evident from his goal against Inter Milan.
Therefore, his presence gives Jurgen Klopp options on the bench or when starting. Consequently, he would have been a part of Thomas Tuchel’s tactics. Thus, Firmino’s injury narrative might have been to throw off Tuchel or give some hope to travelling fans.
Medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site (he also has a background in injury and data analysis) said:
Initially, with the Firmino injury, Klopp said he was going to be out for quite a while.
That four, five, six-week period would have been in keeping with his previous muscle problems. But just a matter of days later, that changed.
That maybe had something to do with giving people hope for the League Cup. But realistically, I never expected him to be a part of that squad.
I certainly don’t expect him to play against Norwich. His recent game time has been severely hampered by soft tissue problems.
They have now Jota, Diaz, Origi, Salah, Mane. So, there’s no need to rush him back.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he is out for another week or two yet.
