Jamie Carragher told Drive on talkSPORT ( November 10th, 4pm start) that Liverpool’s Premier League title win last season ‘masked’ Roberto Firmino’s poor form.
Prior to Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City, a lot was made about who would play up top with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane given the Brazilian’s poor form and Jota’s blistering start to life at Anfield.
In the end, Jurgen Klopp perhaps sprung a surprise by playing all four of Jota, Firmino, Mane and Salah together.
But Carragher shared an interesting take on Firmino’s bad run of form and he thinks it stems from the previous campaign even though the Reds won the title.
On what his front three would be tomorrow for a game to win title or CL final: “Mane, Jota and Salah,” said Carragher. “No, [not Firmino]. I don’t think he’s in great form right now and that could change if Liverpool gets to a final.
“But I don’t think Firmino was in great form last season. Even though Liverpool won the league and when you win the league you are winning week after week and certain things get masked.
“Firmino didn’t score a Premier League goal at home until the last home Premier League game against Chelsea. Now, Liverpool fans are educated enough to know that Firmino’s role in this team is to not be scoring goals.
“But even the actual pressing stats when I looked at them. They weren’t at the numbers they normally are. It doesn’t mean if Firmino goes and Jota starts then that’s the end of Firmino. He’s not playing well. You have ups and downs in your career. Just sit on the bench for three or four games.”
Liverpool fans need to look at the positive to Firmino’s bad form and that’s the fact that Jota is stepping up and showing that he is worthy of starting.
Klopp has been crying out for some competition and depth from the bench, which he is now getting through their summer signing.
Even though it’s November, it’s still early in the season given the delayed start and it will be interesting to see where Firmino is in a few months time.
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