There were truly few positives to take from Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Man United on Monday, and there were particular concerns over the form of Roberto Firmino.
With Darwin Nunez suspended and Diogo Jota sidelined through injury, Jurgen Klopp turned to Firmino to start as the Reds made the trip to Old Trafford.
Unfortunately, it ended in a miserable defeat, with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford both scoring before a consolation goal from Mohamed Salah which papered over the cracks.
Liverpool were shocking for much of the night, and the role of Firmino can certainly come into question, as there was no focal point in attack as the Brazilian continued to drop deep with no overlap from midfielders James Milner and Harvey Elliott.
The No. 9 is expected to start the next two games, too, with Nunez facing more time out, and the reaction of fans on social media suggests it could be a worry.
Firmino is so deep he's practically playing in a double pivot with Henderson.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) August 22, 2022
Can someone please inform Roberto Firmino he is not playing in defensive midfield?
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) August 22, 2022
… from tactical POV, it’s scary how ineffective Firmino has become. One issue appears to be that centre-backs aren’t coming out with him when he drops deep, probably because they know he won’t do anything. That leaves Diaz and Salah up against an entire back four. It’s too much.
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) August 22, 2022
Firmino being this deep can’t be part of the plan, surely?! #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/f29tKDvwRN
— Jamie Holme (@JamieHolme) August 22, 2022
Average positions for #LFC tonight. Where's the No. 9 meant to be? pic.twitter.com/a5f8yYkzNC
— Jack Lusby (@LusbyJack) August 22, 2022
Firmino's heat map in the first half. It was fine in the past when we used Salah and Mane as inside forwards but we keep Salah and Diaz really wide now. pic.twitter.com/JEQmdLUyh5
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) August 22, 2022
That Nunez red card is pissing me off even more now. We’ve got Firmino playing CM and then playing FIFA street.
— – (@AnfieldRd96) August 22, 2022
https://twitter.com/SportsEnthusi17/status/1561828735212560385
Firmino has been anonymous. Nunez's naivety has been really felt this first half.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) August 22, 2022
Firmino should play in midfield he’s no longer needed in the front line today just proved it
— ? (@mxskiii) August 22, 2022
Firmino with that performance played for 95 mins. Enough said about the squad.
— Raghul AP (@Raghul_krish7) August 22, 2022
Firmino's decline saddens me greatly. Shadow of what he was.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) August 22, 2022
Firmino is a legend at Anfield, one of the most important players of Klopp’s successful tenure and a revolutionary in the centre-forward role.
But there can be little arguing that, at 30, he is fading in influence, and where he tore United apart with a brace in the 4-2 win at Old Trafford in May 2021, now he found himself shunted out of the game.
The manager will almost certainly be aware of this, and it is how he and Firmino address the situation before the clash with Bournemouth that could be key to Liverpool’s revival.
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