Liverpool sweating on fitness of trio ahead of Newcastle United clash - including key striker

Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of three players ahead of their trip to Newcastle United - including a key striker.

Jurgen Klopp’s men head to Tyneside fresh off the back of a comfortable 2-0 home win over Villarreal and put one foot in the Champions League final.

However, the Reds did so without three key first-team players.

Roberto Firmino, Kostas Tsimikas and Curtis Jones were all left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad on Wednesday night.

According to our colleagues at LiverpoolWorld, Firmino is still absent with an ankle injury he suffered in the FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City earlier this month.

It’s the third game the Brazilian striker is unavailable for.

Meanwhile, Tsimikas was not present during Liverpool’s open training session yesterday. He is ill, along with Jones.

Klopp’s selection hints - changes at SJP?

The Reds’ boss made three changes to the side who saw off Everton in the Merseyside derby at the weekend - and it might well be the case that trio are back in the side at St James’ Park next time out.

Luis Diaz, Jordan Henderson and Ibou Konate all played against Unai Emery’s Villarreal side, with Diogo Jota, Naby Keita and Joel Matip all dropping out.