Firmino is 'not close' to returning after another injury setback, reveals Klopp

Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Roberto Firmino will miss Liverpool's Premier League clash with Brighton on Saturday, with Darwin Nunez also a doubt after picking up an issue on Thursday.

The Reds boss claimed that the Brazilian forward was originally only expected to be out for '10 days - two weeks', but that the 31-year-old 'felt something' which has lead to the extended period out of action.

The German manager was in an exasperated mood as he hit back at a journalist for asking about Liverpool's transfer activity, and has ruled out any further acquisitions as his side sit in seventh spot in the league.

Klopp said of Firmino's injury: 'In the first moment it was like a little injury, estimated 10 days – two weeks.

'He did the normal rehab stuff, all the experts told us what we could do.

'Then Bobby felt again, something. That kept him out for longer.

'I don’t know exactly when he will be back, he’s not close to team training.'

Despite the acquisitions of attacking talent in recent transfer windows, Firmino still remains a core member of Klopp's Liverpool squad, playing 13 games in the Premier League this season scoring seven and assisting five more.

And his prolonged absence is sure to be a major blow to Klopp, who is also without star forwards Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and now Nunez, after his injury sustained on Thursday.

The Liverpool boss confirmed that following the issue, the club are still awaiting details over the problem's severity.

'If he can not train today then yes, that will rule him out,' he continued.

'We are waiting for information. It’s not a major one but it still kept him out of training. We have to wait for that.'

Klopp did however confirm that both Stefan Bajcetic and James Milner had returned to fitness.

The Reds travel to the south coast where they will face eighth-placed Brighton, who will leapfrog Liverpool with a win on Saturday for Roberto De Zerbi's men.

Seagulls star Leandro Trossard's future is in doubt at the Amex, after the Italian exiled him from first-team training over perceived attitude problems, raising concerns over his involvement on Saturday.