Tuesday 19 February 2019 07:37, UK
Fabinho could be the solution to Liverpool's defensive fitness crisis in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
This comes after Jurgen Klopp revealed that Dejan Lovren would be subject to a last-minute fitness assessment ahead of the last-16 showdown at Anfield.
Lovren is recovering from a hamstring injury while Virgil van Dijk serves a one-game suspension, leaving last season's runners-up short of recognised defensive options for their first meeting with the Bundesliga champions in this competition since 1981.
Quizzed on whether Fabinho could play at centre-back, Klopp said: "In the Champions League, against Bayern Munich, it's not an easy job but we don't want our last guy alone defending against Bayern.
"It depends on how we defend in general and that's it. There will be a lot of moments where we have to defend and we've worked on that.
"We've tried to work on that because we respect the quality of Bayern a lot. We will try to make the best of the situation."
With Van Dijk suspended and Lovren doubtful, Klopp has to decide who will partner Joel Matip at centre-back. Xherdan Shaqiri (abdominal) faces a late fitness test and is a doubt to face his former club.
Joe Gomez (ankle) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) remain long-term absentees.
Bayern Munich will be without centre-back Jerome Boateng after he was ruled out with "stomach flu". Thomas Muller serves the first of a two-game suspension.
Winger Franck Ribery did not travel with the Bayern squad to England on Monday following the birth of his child but he will join up with his team-mates ahead of Tuesday's game.
Kingsley Coman has been declared fit after suffering a knock in Friday's 3-2 away win over Augsburg. Arjen Robben, who has not featured for Bayern since late November due to a thigh injury, is not included in the 21-man squad.
What a game. The atmosphere at Anfield will be fantastic. Liverpool usually turn up on the night and the front three will be the difference. Bayern are not as good as they have been in recent years. Bayern are well-drilled but at the back you can get at them and Liverpool's front three are a handful for anybody. Bayern will have an odd game where they play really well but they haven't bought that well recently. It's a big rebuilding job at Bayern and I think Roberto Firmino will score in a Liverpool win.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-1, Firmino and Mane to score (50/1 with Sky Bet)
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