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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Mark Wakefield

Benfica could be without two key players for Liverpool match in Champions League

Jurgen Klopp has the fortune of a fully fit Liverpool squad currently at his disposal. The Reds are currently gearing up for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Benfica this evening.

Naby Keita missed the weekend victory over Watford in the Premier League with a knee problem. Trent Alexander-Arnold has recently recovered from a hamstring injury, while Curtis Jones and Joel Matip picked up slight knocks in the win over the Hornets.

However, Klopp confirmed that all four players are now fit and available and are in contention to feature against Benfica this evening. "Yes, full squad available, absolutely,” said Klopp, in his pre-match press conference.

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“Curtis was just a little swelling, [it] disappeared then overnight, fine. Same with Joel, which is really helpful because it looked really strange. Yes, and Trent trained now four or five days, I’m not sure exactly, but yes, he is ready as well.”

But it could be a different story for the Portuguese outfit.

Benfica currently have two players in the treatment room who are not likely to play a part against Liverpool. They are experienced forward Rodrigo Pinho and centre-back Lucas Verissimo.

Pinho suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury back in October, and is likely to still be out for the remainder of the season. Prior to his injury, the 30-year-old had scored one goal in three appearances this season after signing from Maritimo last summer.

It’s a similar story for Verissimo, who has also been recovering from a cruciate ligament injury which he picked up in November. He had been a key player for Benfica, featuring 18 times this season and even chipping in with three goals from centre-back.

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