Raphinha scores hat-trick in 100th appearance for Barca
Brazilian winger Raphinha celebrated his 100th appearance for FC Barcelona with a hat-trick goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League encounter on Wednesday night.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is hopeful that both James Milner and Emre Can will be fit in time for next week’s UEFA Champions League final, with the German hinting that the English midfielder is likely to win his fitness battle.
“James is in the group and will be back in training later – I think on Saturday or so we will see, or maybe Friday,” Klopp was quoted as saying by the club website.
The Reds departed on Tuesday for a four-day training camp in Marbella, Spain and both Can and Milner were part of the squad, giving Reds fans hope that the duo is in contention to feature in Kiev against Spanish giants Real Madrid.
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“Emre is here, that’s good – having him in the group is always good, a fantastic boy. We will see what we can do with him, there’s still a little bit of work to do, but good to have him here,” Klopp added on the topic of his compatriot’s fitness.
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With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out with a long-term injury and Adam Lallana only just returned to first-team training, the Merseyside outfit are a bit short of options in midfield.
Fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold has been asked to deputise in the middle of the pitch, with Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum the only fit senior options at Klopp’s disposal.
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While Milner was rested for their final Premier League game of the season as a precautionary measure due to a tight hamstring, Can has been out of action for a while with a back complaint.
The 2018 UEFA Champions League final takes place in Kiev on May 26.
Liverpool are chasing their first major trophy under Klopp but will have to overcome the challenge of a Real Madrid side chasing their third European crown on the trot.
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