Firmino benched for PSG visit after eye poke; Sturridge called in

Roberto Firmino was named among the substitutes for Tuesday's Champions League skirmish with Paris Saint-Germain after having his eye accidentally gouged by Jan Vertonghen.

Liverpool won 2-1 in Saturday's Premier League meeting at Tottenham Hotspur's temporary Wembley home, but Firmino was sent to a hospital after suffering an abrasion on his eye. There was luckily no permanent damage, but Daniel Sturridge has been called into the lineup in his stead for the much-anticipated midweek continental clash.

(Courtesy: liverpoolfc.com)

Captain Jordan Henderson is also selected to start, with Naby Keita taking a place on the bench alongside fellow summer signings Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Firmino's place in the backup brigade means Jurgen Klopp's famed frontline of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Firmino has been broken up for the first time this season. There are no such issues for Paris Saint-Germain, who have Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani, and Neymar ominously starting at Anfield.

The latest solution to PSG's long-term defensive midfield issues appears to be Marquinhos, with the natural center-back picked there again by manager Thomas Tuchel.