Liverpool vs Porto: Hoping Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum recover from knocks in time for Champions League quarter-final

The Dutch pair are expected to recover but are carrying knocks, while Joe Gomez and Adam Lallana are expected to miss out

Ed Malyon
Monday 08 April 2019 13:45 BST
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Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool are back where they belong after Champions League win

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Liverpool FC are hoping that key pair Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum will recover from knocks in time to play FC Porto in the Champions League quarter-final.

The Reds are less confident on Joe Gomez and Adam Lallana, however, with Jurgen Klopp revealing that Gomez needs a few more weeks in training before he can finally return from a lower leg fracture.

"It's better for Joe to have more sessions If we have enough we shouldn't think about Joe for next one or two weeks.

"We had a few back problems from the weekend. Gini Wijnaldum had a back problem. Even Virg[il van Dijk]. But they all should be fine."

Van Dijk has arguably been Liverpool's player of the season and the Anfield club are expected to do everything possible to patch him in order to be ready for the first leg against Porto on Tuesday night.

Liverpool have a little more depth in the centre of the park but Wijnaldum is still a key cog in Klopp's machine.

Hector Herrera will be missing for Porto, who are on a four-game winning streak in the Portuguese league, level on points with arch rivals Benfica.

Goals from Tiquinho Soares and Otavio handed them a 2-0 victory over Boavista on Friday night, a fixture moved by the Primeira Liga to afford the club maximum preparation time for Tuesday's quarter-final.

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