Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted that striker Roberto Firmino now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury.
Firmino was a hero for Liverpool in midweek, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan.
Having come off the bench to change the game for Liverpool, it looked like Firmino was primed for a starting role.
With Diogo Jota out injured, this appeared to be a chance for Firmino to feature against Norwich City.
Yet when Liverpool released their starting lineup, Firmino not only wasn’t in the starting XI, but he wasn’t even on the bench.
Manager Klopp has now admitted that Firmino has suffered a muscle problem and wasn’t able to be involved against Norwich.
Klopp has told The Mirror that Firmino will now be ‘out for a while’, with seemingly no return date in mind for the Liverpool striker.
“Bobby Firmino has a muscle problem and is out for a while, so we have to keep the boys fit and create a spirit like the boys did today in the game,” said Klopp.
Firmino has endured a tricky time of late, failing to really capitalise on a starting role whilst Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 30-year-old has only scored four Premier League goals this season; one on the opening day of the season and three in one game at Watford in September.
Since then, it’s been hard work for Firmino, who is increasingly feeling a little like the old toy being replaced by newer models.
Jota has been firing this season and new signing Luis Diaz already looks like a hugely exciting addition to Klopp’s attack.
A pressing machine and great link-up player around the box, Firmino still has a huge role to play in this Liverpool setup.
Yet with time out of the side now on the horizon, Firmino faces more frustration between now and the end of the season.
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