Topic: Roberto Firmino

[Funky_Gibbons]

If Bobby's finished then so is Sadio. Jota staying fit would've been enough to rotate a little and keep things fresh. It's no coincidence that our front 3, as a 3 aren't performing because Bobby isn't. For months we talked about him being the system and what he does for Mo and Sadio.

Who talked about Bobby ‘being the system’? 🤣🤣

Last season Firmino scored one goal at home yet Salah and Mane were able to still perform.

[rakey_lfc]

Who talked about Bobby ‘being the system’?

Last season Firmino scored one goal at home yet Salah and Mane were able to still perform.

Many times he was highlighted for being the one who orchestrated the front 3 by coming deeper and picking the ball up, also allowing the space behind for Mo and Mane. It was highlighted time and time again how his unselfishness as a false 9 allowed the others the accolades.

His overall link up play was much better last season which is why Mo and Mane scored plenty still.

[Adeemo]

I’m almost more concerned about his inability to win the ball back, create turn overs etc. He’s always been the best in the league at that, he now seems weak and easily bullied, his upper body strength has disappeared.

[Eeyore]

Since the start of last season Liverpool have played 63 League games Bobby has played every single one. Mo has played 58 and Sadio 57. Add in jetting all over the world to play for their respective countries and it is no wonder our front three are knackered.

[Funky_Gibbons]

Many times he was highlighted for being the one who orchestrated the front 3 by coming deeper and picking the ball up, also allowing the space behind for Mo and Mane. It was highlighted time and time again how his unselfishness as a false 9 allowed the others the accolades.

His overall link up play was much better last season which is why Mo and Mane scored plenty still.

Highlighted by who? That was just something people would say to excuse his lack of goals and assists.

Last season he was carried by Mane and Salah. This season Mane is out of form so we only have one forward who’s contributing. Teams know Firmino is not a danger so let him drop deep where constantly gives the ball away.

[killer-heels]

Highlighted by who? That was just something people would say to excuse his lack of goals and assists.

Last season he was carried by Mane and Salah. This season Mane is out of form so we only have one forward who’s contributing. Teams know Firmino is not a danger so let him drop deep where constantly gives the ball away.

I don’t agree. At his best and even some games his ability to hold up the ball and knit the passing together higher up the pitch helped create a cohesive attacking unit.

He wasn’t as good last year at all but had a bit of a good spell at the end of 2019 and start of 2020. After that though he has pretty much become a non entity and it’s not productive at all. For me we have to be looking to sell him this coming summer if we can.

[Marty 85]

Reckon its confidence/mental. He has no problem playing the most ridiculous passes and flicks and can easily receive any ball played straight at his back. But when he's got a clear line of sight on goal, he completely fucks it.

Of course it is. Anyone giving him stick just needs to go and watch his performances improve when fans came back. He's human and obviously thrives on our support. The whole team does.

[harryc]

Of course it is. Anyone giving him stick just needs to go and watch his performances improve when fans came back. He's human and obviously thrives on our support. The whole team does.

Is that a unique ability only our players thrive on ffs.

[markmywords]

I don’t agree. At his best and even some games his ability to hold up the ball and knit the passing together higher up the pitch helped create a cohesive attacking unit.

He wasn’t as good last year at all but had a bit of a good spell at the end of 2019 and start of 2020. After that though he has pretty much become a non entity and it’s not productive at all. For me we have to be looking to sell him this coming summer if we can.

No way! We should not be looking to sell with Africa cup of nations next jan, we will lose salah and mane for 6 wks

We needed a new forward this summer come what may, Firmino's form for the last 2 yrs, means this search  has a different complexion

[El Lobo]

Mane and Firmino in 16 league games combined this year - Two goals

Mo Salah in 9 league games this year - Four goals

Jesse fucking Lingard in 4 league games this year - Three goals

We can moan and gripe all we want about not signing a CB on January 1st, but its pretty glaringly obvious what a massive issue the attack has become. And this is probably just as relevant in the Sadio Mane thread. But the drop off from those two is absolutely killing us at the moment. 6 goals in 35 games for Bobby this season. Yes we all know he's not just about goals, he's not to be measured in goals, but those are literally Fraizer Campbell numbers.

[killer-heels]

Mane and Firmino in 16 league games combined this year - Two goals

Mo Salah in 9 league games this year - Four goals

Jesse fucking Lingard in 4 league games this year - Three goals

We can moan and gripe all we want about not signing a CB on January 1st, but its pretty glaringly obvious what a massive issue the attack has become. And this is probably just as relevant in the Sadio Mane thread. But the drop off from those two is absolutely killing us at the moment. 6 goals in 35 games for Bobby this season. Yes we all know he's not just about goals, he's not to be measured in goals, but those are literally Fraizer Campbell numbers.

Isn't Firmino on more goals now than last season, or at this stage?

[CraigDS]

Yeah his drop off in form has been akin to diving off a very large cliff.

It’s the rest of his game too though. Or at least it is going by eye. He seems to be running less, so not chasing down as much, not getting the tackles or interceptions he did. His first touch has been really poor and his passing close to non-existent.

If Jota had been fit then think he’d have been dropped a while ago.

[El Lobo]

Isn't Firmino on more goals now than last season, or at this stage?

No idea.

He's got 6 in 25 games this season. So pretty much on course for what he ended up with last season (9 in 38) which is still pretty poor for an attacker. But as Craig says, its not just the goals. Last season he was clearly playing a lot better, so the meagre return was a fuck tonne easier to accept.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

No idea.

He's got 6 in 25 games this season. So pretty much on course for what he ended up with last season (9 in 38) which is still pretty poor for an attacker. But as Craig says, its not just the goals. Last season he was clearly playing a lot better, so the meagre return was a fuck tonne easier to accept.

At times this is true. He started the season in majestic form. Newcastle at home for example when he was Bergkamp-esque. Then he dropped off until the World Club Cup which seemed to re-energise him, coming into some form again for a month or so around Christmas and January.

But for the most part he wasn't particularly playing better than he is now. We were just winning every week so people couldn't possibly believe any of our players might not be playing at their best. Now we're seeing how fine the lines really are in football and what happens if a few of those players who really did help us win week, in week out either aren't there or aren't playing at their best either.

His shooting was dreadful. I've mentioned on here how only Salah and Jimenez took more shots than him last season (I think someone said Jesus and Sterling may have had more, too, but there's not much in it either way), yet 25 players scored more goals than him. I got told this was 'variance'. It's not variance. It's because he's shit at shooting a football.

[killer-heels]

No idea.

He's got 6 in 25 games this season. So pretty much on course for what he ended up with last season (9 in 38) which is still pretty poor for an attacker. But as Craig says, its not just the goals. Last season he was clearly playing a lot better, so the meagre return was a fuck tonne easier to accept.

I am not convinced that he played that much better. He definitely had a better spell around December to Jan last season away from home but his contribution to scoring has been on the wane for a long while and if anything, after the 17/18 season we have gone from a front 3 scoring all the goals to a front 2.

There has been a question mark over him for a while and the question is whether the club thought that when they bought Jota or were planning to buy Werner. Id be asking the same question over someone like Mane as well.

[MD1990]

Mane and Firmino in 16 league games combined this year - Two goals

Mo Salah in 9 league games this year - Four goals

Jesse fucking Lingard in 4 league games this year - Three goals

We can moan and gripe all we want about not signing a CB on January 1st, but its pretty glaringly obvious what a massive issue the attack has become. And this is probably just as relevant in the Sadio Mane thread. But the drop off from those two is absolutely killing us at the moment. 6 goals in 35 games for Bobby this season. Yes we all know he's not just about goals, he's not to be measured in goals, but those are literally Fraizer Campbell numbers.

massive issue.

Mane & Salah will miss next Jan/Feb as well with the ANC. Keita off then too.

We need 2 new forwards in the summer. Wont get them though

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Id be asking the same question over someone like Mane as well.

He's obviously a long way from his best but I think this is massively harsh.

He's had COVID, he's had injuries, and most of the rest of the team collapsed before he did. I've had issues with Mane this season, don't get me wrong. Salah gets the greedy tag when actually I think Mane has made more greedy decisions in terms of shooting rather than passing than Salah has this season. It's hard not to wonder if their rumoured poor relationship away from the pitch has had an impact in that regard.

However, even when Mane isn't playing well, he remains a threat. He's our only player who consistently carries the ball to draw a foul or beat a man. He's our biggest aerial threat too. I think we can allow him a couple of months off the boil because he's still clearly a fantastic player. Firmino's rot is much glaringly deeper. A proper central presence would take massive pressure off Mane and Salah.

[lionel_messias]

Bobby is absolutely knackered from the amount of football he's played over 3-4 years.

What's the solution, we have to use him less and bring in a rotation option. Or perhaps develop him as a number 10, if we play 4-2-3-1 at one point? He played there in Germany and so it's not new to him.

[downtown]

Why in this world does he "Like" the photo of Richarlison scoring at Anfield and celebrating their win over us? First one in over a decade and first one at Anfield in this century?

What the fuck is wrong with him? What is there to like?

Absolutely mind-boggling.

I don't care if they are both Brazilians or mates....the guy is literally celebrating at the expense of Liverpool Football Club, the club that employs Firmino and pays him over 100k a week, yet he "likes" a post celebrating a Liverpool loss in a game he had his usual stinker? Especially knowing the unprecedented rot we're in and the overall mood with the fans now.

Makes you really think if the players even care if we lose/win.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Why in this world does he "Like" the photo of Richarlison scoring at Anfield and celebrating their win over us? First one in over a decade and first one at Anfield in this century?

What the fuck is wrong with him? What is there to like?

Absolutely mind-boggling.

I don't care if they are both Brazilians or mates....the guy is literally celebrating at the expense of Liverpool Football Club, the club that employs Firmino and pays him over 100k a week, yet he "likes" a post celebrating a Liverpool loss in a game he had his usual stinker? Especially knowing the unprecedented rot we're in and the overall mood with the fans now.

Makes you really think if the players even care if we lose/win.

If you think that the players don't care then you haven't been paying attention for the last several years.

[killer-heels]

Why in this world does he "Like" the photo of Richarlison scoring at Anfield and celebrating their win over us? First one in over a decade and first one at Anfield in this century?

What the fuck is wrong with him? What is there to like?

Absolutely mind-boggling.

I don't care if they are both Brazilians or mates....the guy is literally celebrating at the expense of Liverpool Football Club, the club that employs Firmino and pays him over 100k a week, yet he "likes" a post celebrating a Liverpool loss in a game he had his usual stinker? Especially knowing the unprecedented rot we're in and the overall mood with the fans now.

Makes you really think if the players even care if we lose/win.

Or maybe some players are just dumb? We have a goalkeeper that supports a fascist. Some are not very bright.

[HeartAndSoul]

Why in this world does he "Like" the photo of Richarlison scoring at Anfield and celebrating their win over us? First one in over a decade and first one at Anfield in this century?

What the fuck is wrong with him? What is there to like?

Absolutely mind-boggling.

I don't care if they are both Brazilians or mates....the guy is literally celebrating at the expense of Liverpool Football Club, the club that employs Firmino and pays him over 100k a week, yet he "likes" a post celebrating a Liverpool loss in a game he had his usual stinker? Especially knowing the unprecedented rot we're in and the overall mood with the fans now.

Makes you really think if the players even care if we lose/win.

Aye seen the dog abuse he's getting on social media for it. Such a stupid stupid thing to do liking a post of your biggest rival celebrating a goal at your own ground

[clinical]

Can't believe he liked that pic. Wtf was he thinking?

Honestly some of our lads are far too nice btw. Miss the Suarez attitude sometimes. Can you imagine him liking a pic like that. FFS Bobby.

[bornandbRED]

No excuses for that from Firmino. Weird from Alisson too. It’s Arsenal behaviour.

[Jookie]

It's a bit silly for Firmino to like an Instagram post from Richarlison given the circumstances.

But 'it's bit silly' is all it is. At the very max it could be insinuated that he doesn't quite get the Liverpool Everton relationship and how it may rub some fans up the wrong way.

I think it's highly unlikely that it's indicative of him not caring or not hurting after a loss. There's a lot more evidence from on the pitch over the years that suggest Firmino cares and puts in 100% every game. Him liking an Instagram post is a minor indiscretion. Nothing more, nothing less IMO.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

It's a bit silly for Firmino to like an Instagram post from Richarlison given the circumstances.

But 'it's bit silly' is all it is. At the very max it could be insinuated that he doesn't quite get the Liverpool Everton relationship and how it may rub some fans up the wrong way.

I think it's highly unlikely that it's indicative of him not caring or not hurting after a loss. There's a lot more evidence from on the pitch over the years that suggest Firmino cares and puts in 100% every game. Him liking an Instagram post is a minor indiscretion. Nothing more, nothing less IMO.

Well said

[El Lobo]

Post-baptism

Played 56 Goals 9 Assists 11

Last season pre-baptism

Played 31 Goals 10 Assists 9

[redgriffin73]

No excuses for that from Firmino. Weird from Alisson too. It’s Arsenal behaviour.

What's Alisson done?

[Jookie]

What's Alisson done?

Think he spoke to and put his arm around Pickford at the end of the game.

[joshlfc94]

We definitely need a new pure number 9 in the summer (even though we won't get one). It's not a knee jerk reaction Bobby has been poor for well over a year now. We need a clinical striker who can also play with his back to goal. Someone like Haaland, Jovic, Silva even Lukaku.

[redgriffin73]

Think he spoke to and put his arm around Pickford at the end of the game.

Ah right, maybe just showing off how long his arms are.

[Ratboy3G]

I'd be interested in seeing him played as a ten in a 4231 or as one of the more advanced 8s in our current system.

[Mighty_Red]

Our problem is that Bobby has been a single point of failure and him being off-form, and/or tactically nullified by the opposition causes us massive problems.

As yet, we don't have another way of playing with or without him. Jota is the closest we have to an alternative that has worked.

I'm not bothered about the number of goals Bobby has scored in total, it's more about how many chances he's missed in big moments. Last season he scored important goals in the wcc against Wolves and more. This year it is only really against Spurs.

Of course we have the situation where so many players are off it but Bobby is probably the one we see most as we remember the misses more than someone like Mo who still scores alongside the misses.

[Lee1-6Liv]

Ah right, maybe just showing off how long his arms are.

 

[bornandbRED]

What's Alisson done?

Smiling and laughing with his arm around Pickford after the game.

Would you smile and laugh with someone who maimed your mate and has just taken a 22 year old record from you?

[Jookie]

I'd be interested in seeing him played as a ten in a 4231 or as one of the more advanced 8s in our current system.

Not sure he has the physicality or mobility to play as an 8 in our current system.

He could play in 4-2-3-1 as a No.10 but that probably means playing Salah as the No.9. Not sure Salah would work wide right with a more traditional No.9 in 4-2-3-1. Think the No.9 would occupy the space Salah currently tries to utilse with diagonal runs in the current system.

I like 4-2-3-1 as a system but you probably add more defensive responsibility to the wide players in the 3 compared to our current fromt 3. Therefore I would guess that someone like Mane would spend slightly more time playing deeper and away from the opposition penalty area in 4-2-3-1 than 4-3-3.

[CHOPPER]

The lad who come up with the line 'give the ball to Bobby and he will score' must be well devo'd.

[The G in Gerrard]

Bobby not playing well isn't a reason to sell. We want to build a squad and yet sell our better players just because someone hasn't played well.

[killer-heels]

Bobby not playing well isn't a reason to sell. We want to build a squad and yet sell our better players just because someone hasn't played well.

Thats not always how things work though. We dont have any money, how do we sign new players without selling the ones that dont perform?

[The G in Gerrard]

Thats not always how things work though. We dont have any money, how do we sign new players without selling the ones that dont perform?

We've got enough players in and around our squad that are surplus to requirements though? Origi, Wilson, Grujic, etc.