The surprise player of the season for Liverpool in attack has to be Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian has taken up a different role for the side this season as he plays a false nine and while the start of the campaign led to a number of goals and assists, the past few weeks haven’t been as fruitful for the former Hoffenheim man.
The 25-year-old striker hasn’t lost any of his quality and it wasn’t a flash in the pan when it came to scoring and passing the ball around but the Brazilian might need a bit of a break. Firmino has been an ever-present player for the side since the start of the season and has played 16 out of the 17 Premier League matches this season.
He has also played a couple of EFL Cup games and the back and forth travel for his national side certainly is taking a toll on the player. No matter the precautions taken, a lot of travel will have an effect on a player and Firmino seems to be dealing with that.
It isn’t just the number of games played by the Brazilian, the position taken up by him in the demanding Premier League is something to look at as well. The 25-year-old isn’t just playing as the forward for the Reds but has had to shift his role after the injury to Philippe Coutinho.
Playing wide right is completely different from playing as the centre. Also, the playing style at Liverpool requires the forwards to do a lot more work than other Premier League sides. While Firmino is someone who is used to dropping back and helping out the defence, the dynamic nature of Liverpool’s play could be affecting him.
A problem with Klopp’s gegenpressing
A major issue for the Borussia Dortmund side that Klopp coached was that in the second half of the season, the players would lose their steam and be extremely tired after a tough first half of the campaign. Gegenpressing takes its toll on almost every player in the side but the biggest effect is on the forwards and the hardworking Firmino could be feeling the force now.
It might not be an easy option or decision to make for Klopp but resting Firmino for a bit might be the right way to go. A bit of a break from the starting XI could help him regain his sharpness in the front of goal.
Even in the game against Everton, Firmino had a couple of great chances but did not have the calmness to give Liverpool the lead or even help them double the lead. Firmino has been a tireless worker this season for the Reds and certainly isn’t someone who has not taken the Klopp philosophy into play.
The Christmas and New Year period will be a tough one for the Reds due to the number of games being played. But rotating the squad and resting a few players like Firmino and maybe Milner could be the right way to keep their charge for the top four and maybe, even more, this season.
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