Why it’s high time Roberto Firmino starts scoring for Liverpool this season
Liverpool have made a fast start to their Premier League life this season after winning all 4 of their opening games. The Reds have looked confident and fluid under Jurgen Klopp this season so far. The team have shown they are now capable of grinding out the tough wins.
The Reds’ front three has once again started the business on usual terms with striker Roberto Firmino picking up his first goal against Leicester City before the break. After starting the season in first gear, Firmino, who currently earns £150,000-a-week, has now scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists in the 4 games he’s played so far. (Stats Courtesy – Premier League)
Usual suspects Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have already picked up 3 and 4 goals respectively this season. Questions were starting to mount over Firmino’s slow start after a frustrating World Cup spell but the Brazilian has once again quashed his critics after scoring for club and country last week.
Despite not being able to pick up a goal in the first 3 games of the season, Firmino’s underlying statistics have once again gone under the radar. Though the former Hoffenheim man is guilty of scuppering 3 big chances, he has also created 1 key chance and supplied 2 assists. (Stats Courtesy – Premier League)
The Brazilian has failed to convert his chances in front of goal and that could be because he was largely used as a substitute in this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
But now that the striker has found his scoring boots and picked up his first goal of the season, Firmino should aim to bring in more on a consistent basis.
He has so far averaged 2.3 shots per game and has completed a pass success rate of 80.6%. Hence, it’s clear that he’s getting into the right areas. The Brazilian just hasn’t been as clinical as before and this could be due to a lack of pre-season and unexciting World Cup spell. (Stats Courtesy – Whoscored)
It’s going to be hard for Mohamed Salah to score 40+ goals this season and Mane is not the kind of player to achieve this feat. This is why Firmino now needs to step up and bring in the goals from the next game.
Liverpool have shown that they are capable of seeing out slender wins but if Mane and Salah are unable to click into place, it’s Firmino who needs to shoulder the responsibility. Liverpool need to work as a unit this season if they are to challenge on all fronts.