Roberto Firmino dazzled in pre-season training and he impressed both players and staff as he looked to give his Liverpool career a new lease of life.
You can forgive Liverpool fans for thinking that the Firmino era at Anfield was coming to an end.
The Brazilian had hit just five Premier League in 20 games last season, starting just 10 of them.
A feeling was emerging that Firmino was just being edged out of the Liverpool team as he progressed into his 30’s.
Yet here we are in the middle of October and Firmino has already hit six goals in just eight Premier League outings this season, showing his worth yet again.
Roberto Firmino dazzled in pre-season training
This is partly due to circumstance.
Liverpool haven’t quite been at top form and that has meant Jurgen Klopp has returned to an old reliable in Firmino.
Summer signing Darwin Nunez is raw and has been brought into the side gradually, Luis Diaz is now injured and Klopp has also deployed a number 10 – something that suits Firmino well.
Yet The Athletic note that Firmino was impressing Liverpool players and staff as far back as pre-season.
It’s suggested that Firmino really benefitted from an extended break in preseason and returned looking sharp having rested after numerous injury problems.
Firmino has found his flow and confidence once again and Liverpool are certainly reaping the rewards.
Now comes the question of a potential new deal for Firmino.
The 31-year-old’s Liverpool contract expires at the end of the season and it’s claimed that all parties are pretty relaxed about the situation.
It’s a tough one to make a decision on though.
Earlier this year, it would have been relatively easy to say that Firmino’s time at Liverpool was over and it would be best for all parties to go their separate ways.
Firmino has played himself back into contention now though and Liverpool may end up giving him a new deal after all having proven that there is still something left in the tank.
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