Liverpool must hold on to Roberto Firmino amidst Barcelona interest
According to the Express, Spanish giants Barcelona are plotting a mega-money swoop for Liverpool star Roberto Firmino.
The Reds face the risk of being raided for the third time in recent times by Barcelona after the La Liga giants prised away Luis Suarez for £75 million in 2014 and more recently, Phillipe Coutinho in January for a whopping £142 million.
Liverpool have found themselves helpless in the past against Barcelona’s financial muscle and they are in danger of losing their star striker Roberto Firmino. However, the 27-year-old Brazilian, who signed a long-term contract back in April, has stated that he is enjoying his football at Anfield. (h/t Express)
The Brazilian joined Liverpool back in 2015 from German club 1899 Hoffenheim and quickly established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet. He scored 10 goals and picked up 7 assists in his debut season in the Premier League and he hasn’t looked back since then.
He enjoyed the most productive season of his career last year, scoring 27 goals across all competitions and registered a significant number of assists to show for his efforts. The 27-year-old has taken his game to a new level at Anfield under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp and has formed a formidable partnership with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah up front.
To be honest, he was one of the cornerstones of Liverpool’s successful season last term. Firmino, who featured for Brazil at the World Cup in Russia, has hit the ground running this season as well, scoring two goals and providing 2 assists in the Premier League. Despite suffering from an eye injury, he came off the bench to score the stoppage-time winner for his team against PSG on matchday one of the Champions League.
The versatile Brazilian initially started as a left-winger under former manager Brendan Rodgers but Jurgen Klopp has preferred to use him in a more central role. The fact that he is capable of playing in any position in the attacking third, makes him a valuable asset to the team.
Known for his excellent technical abilities, link-up play, vision and creativity, the Brazilian uses his wonderful footballing sense to wreak havoc upon the opposition’s defence. He is a striker blessed with an excellent positional sense and often creates chances with his subtle movements off the ball.
Operating as a False 9 in a 4-3-3 formation, he has the intelligence to draw the defenders away from their position and sets his teammates free with perfectly measured passes. This is what makes him an excellent assist provider.
Even though he is not the tallest or the strongest of strikers, he is a good header of the ball for a player of his stature. In fact, his numbers are right up there with the likes of Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero.
In Roberto Firmino, Liverpool boast of one of the most technically gifted strikers in the Premier League. Daniel Sturridge has rediscovered his scoring form this season and has chipped in with some crucial strikes but Firmino remains as one of the mainstays of Liverpool’s deadly front three.
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That said, Roberto Firmino’s presence is the key to Liverpool’s title hopes and they should do anything and everything to keep Barcelona at bay. The Reds have had a tough time against the Spanish giants in that regard but they will hope that they can hold on to their prized asset this time around.
