Firmino Set for Second Start as Liverpool Hire Jet for Brazil Duo

Roberto Firmino being given the day off from training yesterday caused a brief bout of concern amongst Liverpool fans over the fitness of the striker, but word today is that it was only intended to rest for the player due to the fact he would be starting his second Brazil game in a row.

Firmino hadn’t made a start for Brazil since joining Liverpool, but he led the line effectively in a 4-1 victory over Uruguay in World Cup qualifying last week and is now set to start again, this time as Brazil take on Paraguay looking to all but seal first place in South America.

Following the match, which kicks off at 8:45PM EST tonight/1:45AM BST on Wednesday morning in the UK, the duo will then again head to the airport to board a private plane and fly directly back to England, where they will be expected late in the day on Wednesday.

That will mean the two will be available to train on Thursday and Friday ahead of Liverpool’s early Saturday kickoff. Without hiring the private jet and with the lateness of the match, the duo would have been unlikely to arrive back in Liverpool until Thursday, a full day later.

In the past, the club have coordinated with PSG and Manchester City in hiring private transport for the clubs’ returning Brazilians, though there is no news as to whether they have done that again on this occasion.