Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 live on Monday evening (7:17pm, January 18, 2021) that he thinks that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is considering replacing Roberto Firmino.
The former Chelsea striker, who now works as a pundit for BBC Sport, believes that Firmino needs to score more goals and provide more assists.
Sutton said that the Brazil international forward has gone off the boil and is now a problem in the front-three.
The Englishman added that he believes that Klopp is thinking of signing a new forward.
Sutton said about Firmino on BBC Radio 5 live on Monday evening (7:17pm, January 18, 2021): “I bet Jurgen Klopp is thinking, ‘Maybe do we need another centre-forward in, another number nine at this stage?’ Because quite frankly, he has been off the boil, and that would be a worry.”
The Englishman added: “I think Firmino is the problem at Liverpool in that front line, and it’s a problem that they do have to try and solve.”
Need to do better
Firmino is not necessarily a player who scores – or is expected to score – a lot. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane score the bulk of the goals for Liverpool.
The Brazilian has not been at his best this season and does need to step up his game.
According to WhoScored, the 29-year-old has scored five goals and provided three assists in 18 Premier League games for Liverpool so far this season.
However, there is no need for Liverpool to sign a new forward now, as Diogo Jota will be able to play in place of Firmino when the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star is back from injury.
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