PORTO, PORTUGAL - Tuesday, September 28, 2021: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino during the UEFA Champions League Group B Matchday 2 game between FC Porto and Liverpool FC at the Estádio do Dragão. Liverpool won 5-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jurgen Klopp confirms Roberto Firmino hamstring injury in latest blow

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Roberto Firmino was forced off in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid due to a hamstring injury – the third player to suffer one.

Firmino joins James Milner and Naby Keita on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, with Harvey Elliott (ankle), Joe Gomez (calf) and Curtis Jones (eye) also missing.

It came, seemingly, in an innocuous situation midway through the second half of Wednesday night’s victory over the Spanish champions.

The No. 9 had replaced the booked Sadio Mane at half-time, but only lasted half an hour on the pitch before he limped down the tunnel, with Divock Origi taking his place.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Klopp revealed that it was a hamstring injury for Firmino, which almost certainly rules him out of Saturday’s clash with West Ham at the very least.

Milner is not expected back until after the international break with a similar problem, while no timeframe has been placed on Keita’s recovery after the issue he picked up in the 2-2 draw with Brighton at the weekend.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 16, 2021: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring the third goal, the second of his hat-trick, during the FA Premier League match between Watford FC and Liverpool FC at Vicarage Road. Liverpool won 5-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Losing Firmino is a big blow to Liverpool, particularly given his excellent performances of late, including a hat-trick in the 5-0 thrashing of Watford.

It is not the first hamstring injury the 30-year-old has suffered already this season either, having missed four games with a problem sustained against Chelsea in August.

Firmino was named in the Brazil squad to play Colombia and Argentina later this month, but he could now pull out of duty – having also missed the previous two international breaks.