Why Firmino’s potential absence this weekend might not matter for Liverpool

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Liverpool take on Everton this weekend in a huge Premier League game at Goodison Park.

The Reds will take the short trip across the city to try and gain three more points in the title race to stay ahead of Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are fresh off the back of a thumping 5-0 victory over Watford in midweek, and will be full of confidence ahead of the second Merseyside Derby of the season.

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will both be unavailable for selection as they continue their recoveries from injury.

Attacker Roberto Firmino, who missed the game with the Hornets, has been described as ‘in contention’ to play against Everton (club’s official website).

The Brazilian is a hugely important player for the Reds, but it would not be the end of the world if he wasn’t deemed fit enough.

Origi and Mane can see the job through

Firmino is a fantastic technical player who most teams would miss if he couldn’t play, but Liverpool showed against Watford that they can manage without him.

Jurgen Klopp experimented with Sadio Mane in a central role at Anfield and the move ended up paying dividends.

It could be that Klopp feels implored to go with the same setup at Goodison Park.

It’s also worth remembering that Divock Origi enjoyed success against Everton last time out, scoring a last-gasp winner to grind out one of the team’s most important results of the season.

He’ll be hoping to start, as he did in midweek, and perhaps be the thorn in Everton’s side once again.