Rio Ferdinand has told BT Sport, during their live Champions League coverage, that Roberto Firmino is under huge pressure at Liverpool now.
Diogo Jota came in and started for Liverpool yesterday, and he scored a hat-trick in the Reds’ 5-0 victory over Atalanta.
Jota has made a hugely impressive start to life at Anfield, while the Brazilian has been struggling for goals.
And Ferdinand thinks that £29 million-man Firmino’s (BBC Sport) place in Liverpool’s starting line-up is now under massive threat.
“The forwards, you couldn’t have asked more,” Ferdinand said. “Klopp has bedded him in the way he has. And [Jota] him showing the personality to go in there and talk it by storm, among a front three who are considered one of the best front threes around.
“Firmino will be sitting there compiling a little play back list to give to Klopp to remind him of what he can do. Because, like or not, he will want to start and this guy has put him under huge pressure.”
Even last season, as Liverpool won the league, Firmino didn’t manage to score particularly frequently.
His pressing game is absolutely vital to the way Liverpool play, but Jota has proven an effective replacement whenever he has been given a chance.
With Jota in such fine form, Klopp now has a huge selection dilemma ahead of Liverpool’s game at the weekend.
The Reds take on Manchester City, and it will be hugely intriguing to see who Klopp backs to start in his side’s starting role.
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