Southampton vs Liverpool: Roberto Firmino ruled out for Saints clash with hamstring injury

Liverpool have suffered a major injury blow ahead of their clash against Southampton on 20 March after Roberto Firmino suffered a hamstring injury, which will also rule him out for Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay during the international break.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the injury to the in-form attacker was confirmed after the Brazilian football association announced the midfielder's withdrawal from the squad for the upcoming world Cup qualifiers. The club are set to ask him to remain at their Melwood training base to assess the injury during the two-week break.

"The striker Jonas, of Benfica, is summoned for the matches against Uruguay (March 25, at the Arena Pernambuco) and Paraguay (March 29, in the Defensores del Chaco in Asunción). Jonas is listed in place of Roberto Firmino," a statement from the Brazilian FA read, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

The 24-year-old has been in great form in recent months having scored seven goals in his last eight league appearances and his loss will be a big blow for Jurgen Klopp, whose team was gaining momentum with in the Premier League and the Europa League, where they face a quarter-final clash against the manager's former club Borussia Dortmund.

Klopp, meanwhile, has brushed off concerns about Daniel Sturridge's fitness as he prepares to return to action with England for their upcoming friendlies against Germany and Netherlands during the international break. The striker's injury nightmare began during his last stint with the Three Lions, which was over a year ago.

"We are always in touch with all the staff around the national teams, not only England. But to be honest at this moment, there is absolutely no issue with Daniel Sturridge," Klopp said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

"He has trained for three, four, five weeks now, completely normal programme, no rest in a special situation. Everything is really okay. It's absolutely the best moment since I have been here with Daniel so we don't have to tell them (England) please have an eye on him and let him rest when all the others are training. No, no, no, Daniel is in really good shape," the German manager added.