Former Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen has heaped praise on Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino after the Brazilian’s stellar performance against Bournemouth. The Reds hit the Cherries for a record nine goals without a reply as Firmino played hand in five goal contributions, racking up 3 assists and 2 goals. The Brazilian has stepped up in the absence of striker-duo Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez, recording 2 goals and 3 assists in 3 games.
Roberto Firmino has faced a lot of backlash for his dismal performances since the last season, where he managed only 11 goals in 35 games. However, the signing of Jota in 2020 could be cited as a reason for Firmino’s downfall since the Portuguese forward has consistently delivered, tallying 34 goals 85 games so far. But this could be the 30-year-old’s redemption year, given the exit of Sadio Mane, long-term injury of Jota and Nunez’s transition could benefit him.
He was on fire- Michael Owen on Roberto Firmino
Firmino has been awarded with three starts in four of Liverpool’s Premier League games so far, given the suspension of Nunez and injury to Jota. He has made the most out of those starts, and could keep his place ahead of the other two forwards if he continues to impress Klopp.
Talking of his recent display against Bournemouth on Premier League Productions, Michael Owen said:
“He was on fire. We all know the class act that he is. He is just a dream for his teammates to play alongside. How many times has Firmino dropped into those pockets? He drops into the hole and then players run into the spaces he vacates. His first touch is just staggering. He just caresses the ball and has great vision. And he was at the heart of the great things Liverpool did. Two goals and three assists. Brilliant.”
The Brazilian was once again expected to resume his duty as a ‘bench warmer’ after the Merseyside club forked out a club-record fee of £85 million on the signing of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez. Moreover, reports of Firmino wanting to leave the club for regular game time too surfaced, only for Klopp’s intervention to keep his ‘crucial’ player at Anfield.
However, as evident Nunez is taking time to settle in the physically demanding Premier League, managing just one goal and an assist, and inviting a three game suspension after picking a red card against Crystal Palace.
Firmino will now be rested with the responsibility of once again leading the Liverpool attack. His partnership alongside Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah was a formidable one for the Reds as the trio helped the club to their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2019/20 season. Now that Mane has left, and Nunez in transitional period, Firmino can redeem himself at Anfield this season.
The Reds next face a rejuvenated Newcastle United team as Klopp will hope to build on the dismantling victory over Bournemouth, to pick only their second win of the season. Marred with injuries however, Klopp will have to use the remaining lot of the players carefully.