The worst scenario from XI Liverpool could be against Bayern Munich in the Champions League

Liverpool's preparations for his Champions League clash with Bayern Munich were turned upside down by the absence of Roberto Firmino at the training the day before because Jurgen Klopp's players were caught out late fright.

After the Reds' last outing, 10 days ago, against AFC Bournemouth, the pre-game talks had been dominated by the potential defensive crisis that Liverpool was facing.

Klopp knows since December that he will have to do without Virgil van Dijk's services against Niko Kovac's team.

The Dutch skipper has only played in a European match since arriving at Anfield in January 2018, 0-0 draw between the Reds and Porto, but it was still by choice after the 5- win 0 from the first leg of Jurgen Klopp.

We are preparing tonight's huge match against Bayern Munich HERE

This season, he has always been present in the league and in Europe, missing just 35 minutes against Southampton because of an injury. However, a yellow card against Naples in the last outing to Liverpool guarantees that the Reds will have to find a way to win without him.

Joe Gomez's lingering problems with a fractured leg have allowed Klopp to know that the English international would also not be available against the Bavarians, leaving the Reds further stretched in defense.

Dejan Lovren had not trained the day before the Reds-Bayern clash, having not made it to their training camp in Marbella, leaving Joel Matip as the only center available for their confrontation with Bayern. the giants of the Bundesliga.

Fortunately for Klopp, Fabinho seems to have overcame the injury that led him to stay in training after landing in Marbella, the Brazilian being waiting to line up alongside Matip at the heart of the defense.

Meanwhile, the Reds boss is optimistic that Xherdan Shaqiri, who missed the Reds' win over Bournemouth with an injury to the abdomen, will be able to deal with his old camp while James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum, also trained in Marbella continued to be troubled by the disease, also seem to have removed it from their systems.

Having managed despite all the obstacles against Bournemouth, the duo will never be available to face Bayern with an extra week to recover. However, the disease fell elsewhere in Liverpool camp on the eve of the camp, leaving Firmin with major doubt.

Elsewhere, Klopp is still deprived of the services of longtime absentees Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rhian Brewster and Nat Phillips despite their presence in Marbella.

When it rains, it pours. With an ever-growing list of absentees, there remains a question as to which team Liverpool could pose if the very, very worst event occurs from what we know so far. We take a look …

The certain entrances …

Let's start with the obvious. Alisson, Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are all guaranteed to be included in Klopp's match against Bayern.

After overcoming an injury, Fabinho should also start, while Milner and Wijnaldum also hope to retain their places. If they can survive Bournemouth through their illness, they will not miss Bayern Munich.

Meanwhile, Naby Keita will find it difficult to keep up if not to stay with her much better performances against AFC Bournemouth and her own knowledge of Bayern. However, he may have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Who could enter?

If Firmino is not available, Klopp must decide to move Mohamed Salah to the center or opt for Daniel Sturridge or Divock Origi in attack.

If he chooses first, Shaqiri will play against his former camp right. However, as the Swiss playmaker has just recovered from injury, the Liverpool coach may feel more confident for one of his more well-known attackers.

Origi has been shot in front of Sturridge since the bench of substitutes in recent weeks, but the quality of the English international is no doubt. Although he has been aimless since September, he would surely blossom if he received an unexpected platform. It worked against Paris Saint-Germain in Anfield, after all.

After returning from injury as a late substitute against the Cherries, it would be a surprise if Trent Alexander-Arnold was not part of the Germans.

Back on the bench against Bournemouth following an injury, captain Jordan Henderson will also hope to be recalled, while he rivals Milner for the last remaining spot in the middle of the field.

Out of context…

Klopp will at least have to be creative in defense against Bayern, while he is looking for a partner for Matip's central defender.

Fabinho has played twice as central defender for Liverpool since joining the club and seems most likely to fall back in defense, if at all.

Meanwhile, Henderson had to play the Wolves in the FA Cup before being pulled out of the club late in the game and was replaced in the back match against Leicester City earlier this month.

Wijnaldum and Robertson also boast of playing center, even though it was part of the group of three.

The options for young people …

George Johnston and Conor Masterson are Liverpool's remaining defensive options in their Champions League team, but it would be a big request to entrust one or the other player to their first match against mighty Bayern Munich.

Ki-Jana Hoever is also available, but though he impressed during his debut against the Wolves, it would be an equally daring call to give his 17-year-old debut at Anfield against Robert Lewandowski.

If Klopp turned to youth, people like Rafa Camacho or Curtis Jones would be much more likely to be included.

A change of training?

Klopp has shot between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 so far this season, while Liverpool has solved his injury problem with a minimum of hbadle.

However, last season he lined up 3-4-3 in Brighton with Emre Can and Wijnaldum in the third period as a measure of urgency. Could a rehearsal be necessary?

Klopp has enough players to stay with four in the back, the likely return of Fabinho dampening what would have been his biggest headache. Although, the option is there to place the two in a back three if he desires it.

Meanwhile, the likely absence of Firmino should allow Klopp to retain the mark with a 4-3-3.

Liverpool suggested from XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Matip, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah, Sturridge, Mane.