LIVERPOOL: Liverpool must turn to unlikely heroes to overturn a 3-0 Champions League semifinal, first leg deficit against Barcelona on Tuesday according to defender Trent Alexander-Arnold after top scorer Mohamed Salah was ruled out with concussion.
Roberto Firmino will also be absent against the Spanish champions leaving Jurgen Klopp without two of his most potent weapons for an already massive challenge.
鈥淥bviously we鈥檝e got two of our main goalscorers out, but it also presents an opportunity for some of the other lads to come in, make a name for themselves and make themselves heroes,鈥� said Alexander-Arnold.
鈥淚f we do overturn the deficit tomorrow then whoever scores, their name will always be remembered because I am sure it will be one of those really special nights.鈥�
Salah was stretchered off during Liverpool鈥檚 tense 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday that kept alive their chances of a first Premier League title in 29 years after colliding with Magpies鈥� goalkeeper Martin Dubravka for a high ball.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a concussion so that means he would not even be allowed to play,鈥� said Klopp at his pre-match press conference on Monday.
鈥淗e feels OK but it is not good enough from a medical point of view that is all. He鈥檚 desperate (to play) but we cannot do it.鈥�
Klopp was realistic at his side鈥檚 chances of progressing to a second consecutive Champions League final, but refused to give up hope with Liverpool鈥檚 history of European comebacks.
鈥淭ogether with our supporters it was a long season and there is at least a little chance to make it even longer,鈥� added Klopp.
鈥淭wo of the world鈥檚 best strikers are not available tomorrow night and we have to score four goals against Barcelona to go through after 90 minutes.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 make life easier, but as long as we have 11 players on the pitch, we will try it.鈥�
Luis Suarez scored the opening goal against his former club in last week鈥檚 first leg at the Camp Nou, but ahead of his return to Anfield, the Uruguayan warned his current teammates of the lift playing on home soil will give Liverpool.
鈥淭o play at Anfield is like playing with an extra man for what the fans transmit to the Liverpool players,鈥� said Suarez.
And Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde believes attack will be the best form of defense as if the Catalans get an away goal, Liverpool will need to score five.
鈥淲hat we have to do is score,鈥� said Valverde.
Suarez will be joined by Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho on his return to Anfield after a 拢142 million move to Barca from Liverpool last year.
But Ousmane Dembele is absent for the visitors due to a hamstring injury and Valverde believes the Frenchman鈥檚 absence will be felt just as much as Salah and Firmino.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 want any player to be injured. It would have been extraordinary to see them all on the field. They are all important,鈥� he added.
鈥淒embele鈥檚 absence is a problem. Against a team that concedes space (in behind) it is always important to have player like Ousmane.鈥�