An extended run where ? Firminio cant play as effective out wide so essentially ur looking at him to be dropped .
I remember the Leicester home game where I believe it was right after the international break and Coutinho had played the 70-80 minutes or so for Brazil and Firmino played few minutes off the bench. In that game, we started off with Firmino on the left, Sturridge central and Mane on the right. The midfield was the same as in most games (Hendo, Lallana, Gini).
That was one of the few games where it all clicked and Sturridge looked like an intergral part of our attack despite not scoring. Firmino scored twice despite playing out wide. Essentially what's keeping Sturridge out of the team is that the goals are coming from both our wide players (Coutinho/5 goals, Mane/9 goals ) as well as from the midfield (Lallana/7 goals, Gini 3 goals). Firmino has 8 goals so far in about 22 games. For a striker, that's a below par return. But obviously Firmino makes for it by creating chances and the pressing he does up front. However, if one or two out of Coutinho, Mane, Lallana didn't score as much this season. We would not be where we are at this stage. Then we need a 20 goal per season striker who has a much better conversion rate than what Firmino has at the moment.
For next season, in addition to getting a wide player, it is equally important for either of the 3 to happen.
1) Get a 20 goals per season striker who stays fit.
2) Get Sturridge involved more in the team if he is staying so he can be our 20 goal striker ( and hope he stays fit)
3) Firmino improves his finishing. (if point 1 or point 2 happens, hope he gets more comfortable playing out wide).