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Liverpool: The most underrated striker in the game – Roberto Firmino

By Ashley Anthony

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates as he scores his sides second goal with Roberto Firmino during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Liverpool and A.S. Roma at Anfield on April 24, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates as he scores his sides second goal with Roberto Firmino during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Liverpool and A.S. Roma at Anfield on April 24, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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If doubted had a name, it would be Roberto Firmino. A player shifted from a CAM to a false nine, to what we can call a complete striker in today’s game. Firmino has put his stamp on the game – no doubt.

If you praise strikers like Morata and Lukaku, you have to give this man his due. After entering the league as the league’s most questionable front man, now moves on to being labelled as one of the best number 9’s in the world after a fantastic campaign, together with his partners up front.

Klopp took a huge gamble when he joined Liverpool and opted for Firmino as his first-choice hitman. Always picking Firmino over strikers such as Divock Origi, Christian Benteke, and Daniel Sturridge always left question marks over Klopp’s decision-making.

What added water to the tank, which had Klopp submerged in dangerous waters, Klopp decided to sell Benteke (Klopp thought he was deadwood) put two of the three on loan, and keep an ACL rupture-prone backup to Firmino. I do remember there once was a kid named, Dominic Solanke. His fell down the pecking order – way down.

The number 9 of the hour!

If you’d ask me, Philippe Coutinho’s probably kicking himself watching his countryman and ex-Liverpool teammate thrive on centre stage, in a team he once thrived in as well. His Brazilian friend has been nothing short of amazing.

While playing behind the curtain in the Salah show, he chips closer to being one of the best strikers in Europe. Klopp has done an excellent job, following his work with players such as, Robert Lewandowski and Mario Goetze.

https://twitter.com/BrazilStat/status/988871805438840832

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Rodgers was lucky enough to get Firmino in, played Bobby widely out of position, lost his job and stepped in Klopp the best coach in the game, as it seems. Well him and his team that is. Not only Bobby has seen a rise to an elite phase under Klopp, but players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revived his career – making a vital move to save his career, which was being flushed down the drain at right wing-back.

Enough games left for the number 9 to continue his fine form and add to an already brilliant season under Klopp. Liverpool play Stoke City over the weekend at Anfield. They follow up their important top-four fight with the second leg in Roma. This from a player rated as the worst choice for a striker.

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