Liverpool drift after duo miss key training session

Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren missed training for Liverpool's Champions League first-leg clash against Bayern Munich and some bookmakers now make the German giants favourites to come through the last-16 tie.

Bet365 have gone as far as to ease Liverpool to evens, with Jurgen Klopp likely to use midfielder Fabinho at centre-back due to Virgil van Dijk's suspension. Lovren is a major doubt and the Merseysiders were already without the injured Joe Gomez.

Lovren's probable absence was expected, but Firmino being missing was a shock after the Brazilian forward was sidelined with illness and it is unclear whether he will recover in time to start.

Klopp said: "It's a tough tie against a really strong, experienced team, but we are strong as well."

Bayern, who will be missing the banned Thomas Muller as well as the injured Arjen Robben, Jerome Boateng and Corentin Tolisso, could have Franck Ribery in their squad despite the French veteran missing the flight to Liverpool with the rest of the squad after recently becoming a father.

Munich can also be backed at evens to qualify and Bayern boss Niko Kovac is predicting goals on Merseyside. He said: "It will be a real battle. I cannot imagine that this match will finish goalless."

Liverpool are 9-1 to win the Champions League in a market headed by their Premier League title rivals Manchester City at 100-30.