- Roberto Firmino has been thrown into the second choice striker for Liverpool falling the pecking order for newbie Diogo Jota
- Firmino proved his worth when he came on during the halftime break to replaced injured Diogo Jota, scoring a goal and producing a match-winning performance.
- The Brazilian proved why he is still a top Premier League striker despite the decreased number of goals this season.
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino was on to send a message to his castigators during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
Amid Liverpool’s impressive recent transfer business in the attacking squad and the emergence of Diogo Jota as a top-class striker, many have been quick to write off Brazilian Roberto Firmino. He proved that might have been premature on Tuesday night in the Champions League at San Siro against Serie A champions Inter Milan.
That isn’t without justification, however; while his goal involvements have drastically decreased this season and niggling injuries have derailed his involvement, those around him have continued contributing at a hugely impressive rate.
Even with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at the peaks of their powers, there has been incessant speculation that Liverpool plans to move on from a triumvirate that has served them so well, and indeed deals have been completed for the likes of Jota and winger Luis Diaz to evidence that speculation.
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino delivered a match-winning performance in his 45-minute appearance against Inter in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, February 15 2022. | PHOTO: Jonathan Moscrop/GettyImages |
Rumours came up before the clash on Tuesday that Ajax sensation Antony could be next through the door as an heir to one of the wing positions, with the Reds among a number of leading Premier League clubs watching the Brazilian.
With all the noise, Firmino could not have timed his match-winning cameo against Inter any better, notably coming off the bench.
Left out of the starting lineup in Milan by Klopp for the aforementioned and in-form Jota, who was withdrawn due to an ankle injury, Firmino was thrown on as a half-time substitute and proved his worth.
The 30-year-old striker brings a non-ordinary unique skillset, and although he initially struggled to find his rhythm with the frenetic pace of the match, it turned out he was exactly the cool-headed workhorse required to get a difficult job done.
In just 45 minutes on the pitch, Firmino engaged in 15 duels – 13 on the ground and two in the air – and while he wasn’t always successful, his mere presence disrupted the Nerazzurri’s flow having been in the ascendancy.
Roberto Firmino scored what proved to be the winning goal for Liverpool against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League and gave the Reds a two-goal lead heading into the second leg. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
He was on hand to provide the winner, too – a moment that turned the tide of the tie and was huge in the circumstances as Liverpool had struggled to create anything of note half an hour into the second period.
From a perfect Andy Robertson corner with 15 minutes to go, Firmino made an intelligent dart to the front post and gained a yard on marker Alessandro Bastoni. Known for his deft footwork, the striker demonstrated he is capable with his head too, rising at the front post and flicking the ball across the six-yard box, beyond the despairing dive of Samir Handanovic and into the corner.
Another moment of pure class from a player who has plenty in his portfolio, and an inspired substitution from Klopp.
While the narrative that Liverpool are looking to the future may seem a comfortable fit, Firmino demonstrated that Liverpool’s wealth of depth will be a significant threat in the present and short-term future. He’s not going anywhere just yet as he has always proved to be a supporter of Liverpool.
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