Paul Merson has written on SportsKeeda that Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino does not get the credit that he deserves.
The former Arsenal star has outlined what Firmino brings to the current Liverpool team.
The Sky Sports pundit has noted that the Brazil international forward will enable Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to score more goals than Diogo Jota.
Praise for Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino
Merson wrote on SportsKeeda: “Roberto Firmino scored an important goal against Arsenal and there’s been a lot of talk about his position in the Liverpool team in recent weeks, but I think he’s a top-class player. He’s an important part of the team and links everything together, so I don’t see Liverpool letting him go.
“In my opinion, he was the main cog in the front three with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, but he never got the credit he deserved. I don’t think the likes of Diogo Jota or Luis Diaz can do what he does for the team, because they are different players.
“Individually, Jota will score more goals than Firmino, but in terms of the front three, the other two players will score a lot more when they play alongside the Brazilian. That’s the way I see it – he’s such an intelligent footballer.”
Place in doubt?
In our view, Firmino is a big player for Liverpool and remains an important figure at Anfield.
However, there is now an argument to be made that the Reds are not ‘desperate’ for him to play all the time.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp now has a number of options in attack.
Luis Diaz has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, while Portugal international forward Jota scores a lot of goals.
In our opinion, there is a genuine threat to Firmino’s place in the starting lineup.
The former Hoffenheim star is 30 now, and there have also been injury problems this campaign.
Firmino has made eight starts and eight substitute appearances in the Premier League for Liverpool so far this season.
The Brazilian has scored five goals and given three assists in those games.
The Liverpool no. 9 has also scored three goals in four Champions League appearances this campaign.
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