Firmino looked like an outsider in Liverpool's game against Manchester City, and was replaced early. Although the Brazilian striker has not gained a foothold in football at a rapid pace, but has taken a place with excellent judgment and awareness, the situation seems to have changed now and it seems that it is difficult for him to keep up with Salah, Mane and Dior. Ge Jotta's offensive rhythm.
, Liverpool’s No. 9 player, has always been a controversial player among fans. Some people think that he should score more goals, while others think that his role in the team is not simply measured by the number of goals scored. The focus of the debate has always revolved around the question: Is Firmino still an indispensable member of the Red Army's tactical system?
However, there is one thing that is absolutely unquestionable. It is a long time after Klopp took over. Liverpool's offensive tactics are all around Firmino. He is the backbone of the team's striker. During that period of time, Firmino was the key to Klopp's transformation of the Red Army's tactics, and determined how the team can perform on the offensive end. There are even media reports claiming that Liverpool decided to sign Salah only because the Red Army's scout team thought he could be the perfect helper next to Firmino.
However, in recent seasons, the team's dependence on him has gradually declined. Salah and Mane have shouldered more of the task of attacking the city. This is also the performance of Firmino that has caused controversy among fans s reason. Since Diogo Jota joined this season, the offensive cooperation between the Portuguese striker, Mane and Salah can be described as a tacit understanding, making Firmino no longer the only choice for Klopp in the starting center position. . The Portuguese proved in a short period of time that he has great potential to become the goal machine of the Red Army in the future, and can bring ample performance space for his partner.
Recently, Firmino has fallen into a difficult career in his career, and his performance has fallen far short of people's expectations. Perhaps neither he nor the fans are willing to admit the fact that this 29-year-old forward player may have passed his prime.
Firmino's role and performance must not be measured only by the number of goals, because he has never been a pure shooter. In the last season, Firmino's goals, shots and shots on goal have plummeted, and he can only be regarded as medium among forwards at the same position in the Premier League.
Although facing the doubts of celebrities and fans, Klopp still firmly supports his lover, but Firmino's performance at the beginning of the new season is absolutely disappointing. Generally speaking, an increase in the number of touches in the penalty area usually means that a player's performance is more threatening. Although the Brazilian forward averaged 5.63 touches per game in the penalty zone this season more than ever, his number of shots and goals have continued to decline. Even in terms of defense, Salah and Mane have helped the team win back more possessions than he did.
In the 2017/18 season, Firmino's average number of goals per game was much higher than the expected number of goals per game of 0.35. He averaged 2.62 shots per 90 minutes and sent 1.56 to his teammates. Key passes, averaging more than 4 attacks per game that directly threatened the opponent's goal, and in the 2018/19 season, his performance also exceeded data expectations. But since then, his performance has been declining, and now he can only create 2.88 threatening offenses per game.
Although it may not seem like a big change, in a league with as many as 38 matches in a season, this means that the team has lost nearly 50 goals.
Almost all key figures of Firmino show a downward trend, which is definitely not a phenomenon that can be ignored. Under ideal circumstances, he should give himself some time to adjust and recover, but with the deepening of the game and the intensive arrangement of the schedule, he obviously cannot do this halfway through the season.
Liverpool still needs him, and the Reds need to have a complete and competitive lineup. Or, Klopp may stimulate the potential of the Brazilian in another way. Firmino may not be the leader of Liverpool’s offensive line, but he can still give this team in different tactics and lineups. Provide more and different possibilities on the offensive line.
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