Jurgen Klopp does not expect Roberto Firmino to feature in Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final with Villarreal.
Firmino picked up a foot issue in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City which ruled him out of the wins over Manchester United and Everton.
The Brazil international has since returned to outdoor training which fuelled suggestions he could be involved for Wednesday’s visit of Unai Emery’s side.
But Klopp admits the first leg of Liverpool’s last-four clash in Europe’s elite club competition is likely to come too soon for Firmino’s return to action.
He said: “I don’t think [he is ready] yet.
“He is running outside and that’s good, obviously, but I am not sure.
“Maybe somebody will surprise me afterwards and tell me, ‘Yes, Bobby is in.’ [I will have] open arms.
“But I don’t think so.”
Klopp also insists Liverpool will not take their latest Champions League opponents for granted after they dumped out Bayern Munich and Juventus.
“We face a very difficult opponent,” said the Liverpool manager.
“They are made for this competition, to be 100% honest. The way they set it up is really good.
“There might have been a little advantage in the last two games, maybe Juve or Bayern underestimated them, but that will never happen to us.
“There is no chance, so this little advantage might have gone. But they are still a really good football team who want to make history as well.
“It would be the first time they go to a final, which would be a massive thing for Villarreal I can imagine, but it is to us the same importance.”