"Firmino is one of the best at what he does in the world . He's in the same class as Ozil, David Silva, Iniesta and all other great players who play that role ". " He's the player that I'm sure Klopp will build his new Liverpool team around .
I'm sure when he joined Liverpool, Klopp was promised he could bring his own players , and with Firmino at the centre of the team, there's no reason Liverpool cannot challenge once again", were the words of Barcelona and Brazilian legend Ronaldinho. However comparing the Brazilian with super stars Ozil and Iniesta might be a little exaggerated and pre-mature but that isn't to say that the talents and performances of Firmino have gone unnoticed this season . Eight goals in 25 league games for Liverpool is not a bad stat for an attacking midfielder for a team struggling for consistency at a crucial period in time , and that Is exactly what the former Figueirense player has done in England.
It will be unfair to Roberto Firmino to judge him only on goals as he has created a further 40 chances which have not been converted by team mates. This is to underline the inconsistency in the central striking position in the club, as top signing and Belgian forward Christian Benteke has spent much time on the bench since German coach Jurgen Klopp took over last year.
Firmino is not all about goals as his ball retention, forward pressing runs when out of possession and creativity are what marks him out as a unique quality in the team . Even with the below average performances of team mates Adam Llalana, Lucas, Christian Benteke and Emre Can, it is the rich form of attacking Brazilian midfielders Coutinho and Firmino that have taken the Merseyside club so far (9th in the table and eight points behind fourth placed Manchester City with a game in hand ).
The only problem is that having cost £29m from Hoffeinheim in the summer , it is a little early to judge if the fee was well spent . But , Judging from his performances of late , it is safe to say that at 24, and playing under a tactician like Jurgen Klopp who brought the best out of players like Mario Gotze and Shinji Kagawa, then it is certain that Firmino will surely get better. Last season, before joining Liverpool, Firmino scored 16 goals (fourth highest in the Bundesliga) and was named the Breakthrough Player of the Season in the German top flight.
While Liverpool might be in a position that doesn't reflect the teams depth in quality , the good news is that with the creative play of both Firmino and Countinho , they are miles ahead of the rest. However, all they need do, is to work on their central defence and centre forward as Christian Benteke can't perform in the team according to the philosophy of Klopp. Origi on his part, though can press, charge and distract opposition defenders, lacks the finishing required at this top level. If these conditions are met by the club , then Firmino and Countinho are certain to finish the 2016-2017 season in top form.
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