Roberto Firmino returned to the Liverpool matchday squad in Saturday’s draw with Brentford as the Brazilian handed Jürgen Klopp a big bonus going into Tuesday night’s Champions League clash in Porto.
The Brazilian has only started one Premier League so far this season — the 1-1 draw with Chelsea — and will be looking to remind Reds fans just what he can do.
Firmino offers Liverpool something different than the directness of Diogo Jota, who has started the season well, but Firmino’s timely return gives Klopp options in attack.
Liverpool’s front three of Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah and Firmino are one of the most feared in Europe over the past few years and for good reason too.
The trio has been integral to the Reds winning their sixth Champions League title, being crowned Club World Cup winners for the first time and ending the 30 year-long wait for that all-important Premier League title.
However, the last campaign saw a decline in output for the first time since the trio has been together with Firmino and Mané not enjoying the quality of season they had in previous years.
As always, Salah was at his goalscoring best with 22 in the Premier League during a season in which Liverpool struggled greatly with crippling injuries and a poor turn of form.
For the last two campaigns, Firmino hasn’t reached double figures with his Premier League return and this often gets pointed out by rival fans who aren’t aware of what he brings to this Liverpool side.
To put it simply, when Firmino is on the top of his game, Liverpool tend to win — that’s the impact the Brazilian has on the side.
Firmino’s ability to drop deep into the midfield is vital for Salah and Mané as they are able to find space easier due to a defender often following Liverpool’s number nine.
The false nine role is something that has grown in popularity over the years with Firmino being at the heart of that. Klopp has transformed him into something the rest of the football world has attempted to replicate.
Harry Kane at Tottenham has adapted his game hugely over the last season, as he now drops deeper so he is able to pick up the ball and use his ability to find a pass — strike partner Son Heung-Min has benefitted greatly from this, much like Salah and Mané have for Liverpool.
Firmino has often been the scapegoat when Liverpool have not been at their best, with his goal record often being highlighted, but Klopp knows the importance of him.
The one game Firmino has started this season was perhaps their hardest on paper — European Champions Chelsea.
After Jota’s fine start to the season, he found himself on the bench for this huge game as Firmino was given the nod. Unfortunately, he didn’t last the first half after picking up a hamstring injury, but the 29-year-old is back and will be raring to go.
Perhaps Tuesday’s match in Portugal will come too soon for a starting place for Firmino, but Sunday’s blockbuster encounter against Manchester City at Anfield could be the game for him.
Firmino has often shined against City, with Pep Guardiola even mentioning the fear he has when coming up against the front three of Liverpool.
Jota has looked leggy of late and rotation is key to any side maintaining a title challenge and keeping their key players fresh so don’t be surprised to see Firmino lining up on Sunday.
Jota from the bench offers Liverpool plenty too, someone of his directness and with his pace will trouble any defence let alone a tiring one so this could come into Klopp’s thinking.
However the German chooses to line up on Sunday, one thing is for certain: that Firmino will have a key role to play for the Reds during the rest of this season.
