Southampton build up.

[RedReet]

Some of our ball winning up high work yesterday was outstanding, especially in the first half, and Firmino was central to a lot of it. Could argue Southampton played into our hands on a few occasions like that, but the swarming was there from our lads to make something out of their possession.

Firmino played a key role in all three goals. Regained possession to start the move for Salah's first. Pulled VVD out of position for Salah's 2nd. Got the assist for Coutinho's third.

Despite the lack of goals, he's been brilliant in recent weeks and yesterday’s game was probably a perfect illustration of what he brings to the team ahead of a more natural CF.

[Kenneth]

He has been playing really well, and I don't want to be that guy, but that's quite a generous take on his role in the goals.

[Fosterbloke]

He has been playing really well, and I don't want to be that guy, but that's quite a generous take on his role in the goals.

The second one perhaps was probably a foul but certainly the first and third was brilliant and instinctive play.

[Kenneth]

The assist for the third was a shot straight at the keeper, but the build up play was very nice. You've got to put blame on the defender for being unaware for the first. His best moments weren't the goals though.

[RedReet]

He has been playing really well, and I don't want to be that guy, but that's quite a generous take on his role in the goals.

In what way?

The assist for the third was a shot straight at the keeper, but the build up play was very nice. You've got to put blame on the defender for being unaware for the first. His best moments weren't the goals though.

Probably not one of his better moments, but statistically it counts as an assist, whereas his great through ball to Ox last week won't because Ox took two attempts to finish it.

[Kenneth]

Yes, assist stats can be very dubious.

[RedReet]

The second one perhaps was probably a foul but certainly the first and third was brilliant and instinctive play.

It was more the fact that he pulled away from the box and VVD followed him, leaving the space for Salah to run into. If he stayed where he was or tried to get in the box himself like a lot of CF's would, the space wouldn't have been there.

[Rigadon]

A good centre-forward shows clever movement, stretches defences and scores goals. They are game changers. Firmino doesn't score enough goals and he's not a game changer. Not a bad player but we need better.

[RedReet]

A good centre-forward shows clever movement, stretches defences and scores goals. They are game changers. Firmino doesn't score enough goals and he's not a game changer. Not a bad player but we need better.

Then don't look at him as a CF, consider him more as an AM, as his role is closer to that that than what 'a good CF' would be. To keep comparing him to other CF's is pointless, he's never going to match up, but Klopp doesn't ask him to play as a CF, his main role isn't to score goals, so why keep comparing him to completely different players?


Anyway, I doubt I'll change your thinking and no point going over old ground, so best just leave it at that.

[Rigadon]

Then don't look at him as a CF, consider him more as an AM, as his role is closer to that that than what 'a good CF' would be. To keep comparing him to other CF's is pointless, he's never going to match up, but Klopp doesn't ask him to play as a CF, his main role isn't to score goals, so why keep comparing him to completely different players?


Anyway, I doubt I'll change your thinking and no point going over old ground, so best just leave it at that.

I understand that Fermino (and Wijnaldum) has many fans on this forum. I just don't think we'll be competitive (i.e. challenging for the Prem) unless we get better players. I'll be very happy if I'm proved wrong

[baitman]

I understand that Fermino (and Wijnaldum) has many fans on this forum. I just don't think we'll be competitive (i.e. challenging for the Prem) unless we get better players. I'll be very happy if I'm proved wrong

i mostly agree.
firmino is mostly a busy player and occasionally looks like a striker.
he also has a few games where he looks lost and invisible.
wijnaldum is, for me, the opposite... he occasionally has great games but too often if just making up the numbers and fairly anonymous. you could have swapped him for any other player and not noticed him being there, or not.