Although Liverpool looked comfortable throughout their 2-1 win over Swindon Town yesterday as they wrapped up their preparations for the new season, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was left with a few things to worry over with both Joe Allen and new signing Roberto Firmino picking up knocks against the League One side.
The Welshman limped off the field less than fifteen minutes into the match and is now a doubt for not only the trip to the Britannia Stadium when the Reds kick off their Premier League campaign this coming Sunday, but for Wales crucial Euro 2016 qualifiers at the beginning of September. “I think Joe was his hamstring, unfortunately, so that doesn’t look so good for us,” explained Rodgers following the final whistle. “But we’ll see how that is tomorrow when he has a scan.”
While Allen may be out for quite some time, the prognosis on new boy Firmino is quite a bit more positive despite the 23-year old getting a painful introduction to English football. Reds youngster Lawrence Vigouroux, who was between the sticks for the opposition and is set to complete a season long loan deal to Swindon Town in the coming days, clattered the Brazilian in only the second minute of the match, and though he seemed to struggle a little bit afterwards, Rodgers has moved quickly to play down any worries over his fitness.
“Firmino is fine. I just think he overstretched a little bit and took a knock. We are just managing his minutes and I thought he did very well,” enthused the Northern Irishman. “I was impressed with his positivity. You can see he wants to create when he’s on the ball and he works hard,” he continued. “What was pleasing for me is that when we were in and around the box, we looked a threat.”
