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‘Cannot afford’: Talksport pundit has warning for £29m Liverpool player

15 Nov 1997: Portrait of Tony Cascarino of the Republic of Ireland before the World Cup qualifying match against Belgium in Brussels, Belgium. Bel...
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Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on October 20, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Tony Cascarino has given his take on Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino’s current form in The Times.

The former Chelsea striker, who now works as a pundit for talkSPORT, believes that Firmino not scoring enough goals is putting burden on fellow attackers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Cascarino has said that if the 29-year-old Brazil international – who can also operate as an attacking midfielder and cost Liverpool £29 million in transfer fees in the summer of 2015 when they signed him from Hoffenheim, as reported by BBC Sport – cannot score goals, then he has to create chances.

Cascarino wrote in The Times: “It is only one goal in 20 Premier League matches now for Roberto Firmino as the Liverpool forward continues to struggle in front of goal.

“There was nothing particularly wrong with his all-round game against Everton — he linked the play well and was involved in the move for Liverpool’s opener — but his lack of productivity in front of goal is placing a huge burden on Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

“Should this goal drought continue, Firmino cannot afford the creative side of his game to slip.”

Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their 1st goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 31, 2019 in Liverpool,… (Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)

Roberto Firmino Stats

Firmino has provided two assists in five Premier League matches for Liverpool so far this season, according to WhoScored.

During the 2019-20 campaign, the 29-year-old scored nine goals and provided eight assists in the league, and scored one goal and gave three assists in the Champions League, according to WhoScored.

Stepping up

Firmino is a very good attacking player and is a vital figure in the current Liverpool team, but he does need to do better.

With the Reds having not started the Premier League campaign strongly, the Brazilian will have to start scoring more goals or providing more assists for his teammates.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images