Firmino will be dropped for ‘decisive player’ – pundit
Liverpool star Roberto Firmino should be dropped.
These are the words of pundit and former Premier League footballer Gabby Agbonlahor, via Football Insider, who thinks the Brazilian would have been out of the line up that drew against Manchester United if one ‘decisive player’ was available.
"He said: “If they had Jota against Manchester United they win the game.“I think Firmino probably wouldn’t have started. He could have played Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane up front and Jota on one of the wings.“He just adds that more attacking prowess to the team. Even if he plays as a number 10 you could’ve not played Georginio Wijnaldum or push Wijnaldum back and play him instead of Xhederan Shaqiri. Shaqiri is not the answer Liverpool need.”"
The Reds limped to a 0-0 draw as Sadio Mane, Firmino and Mohamed Salah really struggled to impose themselves on the Red Devils.
One man who has had no issue imposing himself on the opposition is Diogo Jota, who hasn’t been available since he picked up a knee injury against Midtjylland in the Champions League.
Diogo Jota > Roberto Firmino
That’s the same game that Kostas Tsimikas also limped out of, incidentally, as the final round of the European elite league left Jurgen Klopp with a reduced squad.
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Jota has been tipped to return to full fitness soon, and that can’t come soon enough. The Portugal international has scored nine goals in 17 games. Since that knock, the former Wolves man has missed the last eight games and Liverpool have struggled.
Liverpool will be much improved
Jota seemed to spur Firmino on to greater things. The way he attacked the box and scored goals forced the Brazilian to up his efforts, while the nature of his darts into attacking areas left extra space for Mane and Salah to operate in.
Divock Origi hasn’t been able to replicate that, while Takumi Minamino appears to be completed untrusted by Klopp. Since scoring in the 7-0 win over Crystal Palace, Minamino is yet to play a minute.
His defensive contributions have been lacking and perhaps the Japanese international still needs a little bit of time to get up to speed with what Klopp needs.
This has left the door open to someone like Xherdan Shaqiri, who started in midfield against Manchester United. However, the man we really need back is Jota.