Glenn Hoddle told Premier League Productions that Liverpool forward, Roberto Firmino, needs to ‘arrive in the box more’.
Whilst a lot of the talk about Liverpool this season has been about their injured defensive stars, another area where they have suffered is up top.
Aside from Mohamed Salah, and sparks from Diogo Jota in between his injuries, Liverpool have struggled to put the ball into the back this season.
Hoddle touched upon Liverpool’s struggles in the final third and how someone like Firmino needs to do more.
“I think Firmino, the way he plays, the way he drops it’s because he’s not an out and out goalscorer,” said Hoddle. “He never was and Klopp knew that.
“Salah and Mane go in there over the last two or three seasons. They are finishing them off. They are the strikers. They aren’t wide players.
“Now, they are under pressure. They are missing them chances, so Firmino comes into the fray. He has to score more goals. Even if it’s like from the edge of the box.
“So, for me, they need to change their play a little bit because if it’s not working where is your plan B? Firmino now has to arrive in the box more. And then you have to play slightly different.”
A lack of balance has hit Liverpool hard this season, but in terms of Firmino, the £29 million star (BBC Sport) was showing signs of struggle even when Jurgen Klopp had a strong side to choose from.
Either way, it’s been obvious for some while that Liverpool need to refresh their forward line and Jota is a prime example of that.
He has provided energy, fear to opposition and competition since his summer switch from Wolves, so it will be interesting what repair work Klopp will do on his side next season.
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