Liverpool icon John Aldridge does not believe that the Reds need to panic despite Roberto Firmino’s poor start to the season.
The Brazilian has failed to find the back of the net during the Reds’ two games thus far against West Ham and Crystal Palace. He was even substituted during the first game against the Hammers, Daniel Sturridge came on to replace him. Sturridge even managed to find the back of the net, as Jurgen Klopp’s side started off the season on a high note by defeating West Ham 4-0.
Last season saw Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Firmino establish themselves as one of the most feared attacking trios in European and World football. They collectively were responsible for 91 goals last season. Of the three, Firmino is the only one who has yet to find the back of the net this season.
Firmino may be struggling, but it is still very early in the season. He will get more opportunities during the upcoming games and will need to make the most of them.
Competition for places in Klopp’s starting XI is tougher than ever this season. If Firmino does fail to find the back of the net during the upcoming games, he could have his place in the side taken by Sturridge or Xherdan Shaqiri. Both are more than apt replacements.
Aldridge does not believe that there is reason to worry.
“In the two games this season he has struggled a bit,” Aldridge wrote in his Liverpool Echo column.
“He’s not quite in his stride at the moment, and you could see at Crystal Palace that Firmino wasn’t quite himself.
“I thought Daniel Sturridge or Xherdan Shaqiri could have come on for the last 20 minutes. But Jurgen Klopp has stood by Firmino, and we have to trust him on that.
“Klopp will want to get the Brazilian back on track as soon as possible and I suspect he’ll want to stuck with him for as long as possible. After all, it’s still very early days.
“Liverpool, though, have the options now to change players around that maybe they didn’t have last season.”
