Liverpool vs Bayern Munich: Lallanaitis! Fans react to latest injury blow

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich battles with Naby Keita of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Liverpool and FC Bayern Muenchen at Anfield on February 19, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich battles with Naby Keita of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Liverpool and FC Bayern Muenchen at Anfield on February 19, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has been ruled out of the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

Echo journalist James Pearce reported that Keita will miss the trip to Germany because of a ‘minor injury’ and won’t be available for selection.

This isn’t the first time this season the midfielder has missed games due to muscular strains. Keita picked up a problem in October and wasn’t available for the next four fixtures, and although there is no suggestion of an underlying issue, repeated soft tissue injuries are always worth keeping an eye on.

But looking at the shorter term and this isn’t amazing news for Liverpool, but at the same time it could be worse. Despite Keita playing well against Bayern at Anfield, manager Jurgen Klopp decided to give the Guinea international some time kicking his heels on the bench.

In four games since that Champions League clash, Keita has featured just 19 minutes and only played the final 13 as Liverpool beat Burnley 4-2.

Klopp still has strong options available to him as Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum are all fit. Theoretically, Xherdan Shaqiri could also fit in as a central midfielder but that won’t happen against Bayern in a month of Sundays.

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Liverpool face relegation candidates Fulham on Sunday, so there’s a fairly quick turnaround for the players. Whether Keita is fit might not be the issue, either, as the gaffer has decided other options are for the best over the last few games.

This injury may open the door for Adam Lallana, who started against Burnley and played well. Lallana is well trusted by Klopp and it wouldn’t be a surprise if that trust translates into minutes on the pitch as the German tries to steer the Reds to Premier League and European glory.

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In other news, former Blackburn Rovers striker and league winner Chris Sutton has backed Liverpool to finish top of the table.