Liverpool supporters have been in fine voice in recent times after seeing their side get back to winning ways in the Premier League on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men went into their encounter with bottom side Fulham at Anfield off the back of drawing 1-1 with Arsenal last time out, which although preserved their unbeaten start to the season did see them fall two points behind leaders Manchester City. And the Reds remain in second place after easing past Slavisa Jokanovic’s team on Sunday, with goals either side of half time from Mohamed Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri sealing a routine success for the Merseysiders.
Thus, there have been many thrilled Liverpudlians up and down the country in recent times, although several have taken to Twitter recently to slate the recent efforts of forward Roberto Firmino, with one supporter claiming that he is the ‘biggest problem’ at present.
And those Liverpool fans are absolutely spot on to point out the Brazil international’s struggles, with it clear that Firmino needs to buck his ideas up in the coming weeks and months.
Ultimately, the 27-year-old came into this season off the back of his best goal-scoring campaign to date last time round, what with the forward netting 27 times in all competitions for the Reds to help them to fourth place in the Premier League table, and indeed to the final of the Champions League.
And with a mightily impressive 17 assists for Klopp’s side too, in a scintillating front three alongside Salah and Sadio Mane, Firmino was arguably one of the most influential players in the Premier League last season.
But it wasn’t just his goals that were of note, as his all round play in leading and pressing from the front, as well as his link-up play with messrs Salah, Mane, and the rest of the side, played a vital part in Liverpool’s success last term.
Yet the Brazil international simply hasn’t been able to replicate that level so far this time round, netting just four times in 17 appearances in all competitions, while he has only registered two assists in that time as well.
Yes, it was always going to be difficult to back up last season completely given just how good Firmino was, but Liverpool fans would have been expecting slightly more from the 27-year-old so far this term – his goal and assist return simply hasn’t been good enough so far.
And with it now seven games without a goal or an assist in the Premier League for the forward, in which time Liverpool haven’t overly convinced despite winning four of those seven matches, it’s clear just how integral Firmino’s form is to this Reds side – they play better when he is playing at a high-level.
As such, those Liverpool fans criticising the Brazilian star are absolutely spot on – the £180,000-a-week ace (as per Spotrac) seriously needs to buck his ideas up in the coming weeks.
Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!
