Jamie Carragher stated on Sky Sports (31/10/20), during their live coverage of Liverpool’s win against West Ham, that Roberto Firmino has ‘really struggled’ this season and he could soon be replaced by Jota in the starting XI.
Liverpool’s summer signing came off from the bench to secure all three points for the champions when he combined with his fellow substitute Xherdan Shaqiri.
In recent years, Firmino, who was purchased for £29 million from Hoffenheim in 2015 [BBC Sport], has been a very underrated figure up top for the Reds, but his form has dipped during this campaign.
That was acknowledged by Carragher, who feels that Liverpool may need to bring the in-form Jota in so he can provide that extra goal threat given the struggles the versatile Brazilian is facing.
“Jota has done really well,” said Carragher. “Firmino has really struggled at times this season. It just remains to be seen how long it may be if that carries on before that man [Jota] becomes a regular part of the front three. And maybe Firmino gets a bit more than a rest.
“I don’t think anyone is calling for Firmino to be dropped as such and this [Mane-Jota-Salah] all of a sudden becomes Liverpool’s front three. But Bobby Firmino is not a huge goal threat. At times, he is there for different aspects of his game. A lot of that is pressing, working, winning the ball back and supplementing the wide strikers in Mane and Salah. But you also want goals from him and assists because he’s playing in the attacking part of the pitch.
“If Jota is bringing that then you can put Salah upfront. You can put Mane upfront. I do think it just gives you that extra goal threat that Liverpool have probably lacked – sometimes you do watch Liverpool and think there is so much pressure on Mane and Salah to score. The midfield three aren’t really going to score. Now, with Virgil van Dijk out, he was always a threat from set-pieces. And that’s gone.
“That’s why in the next few weeks if things continue how they are with Firmino then you maybe looking to get Jota in because he’s that extra body on the pitch who you feel can get you that goal.”
For a long while now, Liverpool have been crying out for a player who can challenge their previously unmoved, thriving and dangerous front three.
But ever since Jota moved to Anfield from Wolves in the summer, he has been knocking on that front door the hardest and those calls may now be heard.
Either way, given the forced changes Klopp has had to make at the back, he now has some positive decisions to make in the final third given the form of Jota, and even Shaqiri.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
