Now is the perfect time for Liverpool to rest Roberto Firmino.
I love Bobby Firmino, I think every Liverpool fan does. There’s a grace in his play, mixed with a passion to work hard for the team no matter what that is infectious.
It’s how we imagine ourselves playing should we be given the chance to pull on the famous red shirt; with skill, flair, and dogged grit.
We can not ignore the fact that some of the magic in his play has gone since the start of the season. Yes, the work rate is there and I still understand that his role within the team is more than goals and moments of audacious skill, but we now have other options in reserve and I think it is time we used them.
It was such a refreshing change when we hit the hour mark against Ajax and were able to swap our entire front three without witnessing a dip in our attacking threat.
Xherdan Shaqiri looked energetic and eager to make an impact, while Takumi Minamino continued to look more and more settled as a Liverpool player.
However, it was Diogo Jota’s performance that made me take stock and question whether Firmino deserves to start against Sheffield United this weekend.
Jota came on and instantly looked like a Jurgen Klopp player. His ability to press from the front was obvious, but it was his tactical knowledge of when and where to press that impressed me the most.
This is usually the most difficult part of Klopp’s tactics to nail down for new players as they try to balance the energy needed with the mental side of keeping the right distance between the lines.
It’s because of this that players often take months to settle in and become a fully integrated part of the team: just ask Andy Robertson and Fabinho. Jota also showed great pace, which was a weapon in his armory that I didn’t know he possessed, on top of an ability to pick a pass and moments of great skill.
It will be sad to see Bobby slip down the pecking order, but in the long run, having a bit of a spell on the side could rejuvenate both his mind and body as Liverpool push to retain their Premier League title.