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Poll Firmino - Is he good enough?

Prefix for Poll Threads

Should Firmino lead our line for the foreseeable future

  • Yes, he's ace.

  • No, we need a more prolific goal scorer to come in

  • On the fence


Results are only viewable after voting.
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juniormember

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We've had many arguments about Bobby.
Some have always rated him highly for what he does, others accepted what he offered but felt it was not enough to justify being first choice striker considering his lack of goals.
This season he's been the same old Bobby in terms of general play, but has added quite a lot more goals to his game too.
I'm certain Brendan would still prefer another striker, but wondering where most of you are at right now. I think he's an exceptional player that leads his line and was happy with him being first choice since Klopp took over (thought he was shite when Rodgers was in charge), but he's seriously blowing me away this season.
10 league goals and 5 assists so far this season (only Kane, Salah, Sterling and Aguero ahead of him), with 6 goals and 3 assists in 6 games in Europe.

The question isn't whether he needs competition. That's really obvious. We need reinforcements.
But it's more of do you want him starting the first game of next season or would you prefer some prolific striker to come in and replace him?

Me, I think he's easily good enough.
 
I didn't ever think it was a good idea playing with a 'false 9', I really didn't.

I'd have swapped him for a proper striker instead any day.

This season though, he's really, really upped his game.

Added goals, more assists, created more from deeper & further up the pitch, & I wouldn't dream of swapping him for a striker in this form.
 
I think it's pretty clear that Firmino is Klopp's favourite player, and absolutely central to the way our attack is set up.

His goalscoring has gone up a notch, and his current Liverpool record is 40 in 118 (1 in 3). That's a very solid record, and if he keeps up this scoring rate, he's as good as any central striker in Europe given his other attributes.

What we really need to be concerned about is the quality of our back-up to Firmino.

Solanke, Sturridge and Ings is not inspiring at all. Sturridge is finished. Ings hasn't played in 2 years, and Solanke doesn't look anywhere near contributing at the moment.

We need to think long and hard about what we're going to do in that department. It seems pretty clear that Sturridge is on his way out, and I suspect Ings will also be given a chance to go out on loan.

Do we then put all our eggs in the Solanke basket? Do we recall Origi? Or do we sign someone?

My preferred (and perhaps controversial) option would be to actually sign Jamie Vardy on a short 2-3 year deal. He'd fit our attack perfectly in many ways, and also allow us to develop Solanke and Brewster in the meanwhile.
 
If you put in a traditional striker, they would need to match his goals and also those that Salah/Mane would not be getting which is probably another 7-8 this season minimum. For the way we play he is irreplaceable - but I agree that we need someone who can rotate in with him.
 
We needed more goals, which we've got from Salah, AOC and a couple of others, so I don't see the problem. We were short on goals and as the focal point of attack, his lack of consistency in front of goal was an issue. Salah has given us that threat AND he opens up the play for the likes of Firmino to thrive.

We need another attacker though to replace Coutinho. One injury and we're a bit short.
 
I guess we are monitoring decent back up alternatives for him. City got Aguero and Jesus covering for each other. We need equal quality now when Studge seem to have lost his plot completely. Ironically after actually keeping fit for a lengthy speil the first time in ages.

For the original question: Yes. Good enough by a mile.
 
Well some of us have loved Firmino since Day 1 and have never referred to him in disparaging terms as a Flabby Melt :D

On a serious note though : Our front 3 will clearly start next season as they are. Agree with the comments above (Studge is gone, Ings hasn't played for 2 years and needs games and Solanke isn't going to contribute anywhere near enough at his current level - and we can't afford to give him games to get him there) so yes we need another striker, although I think Aubameyang would be perfect I doubt Klopp will go that route though it would also open up the option of dropping Firmino into the #10 / AM slot where I think he'd be brilliant too, with his workrate and eye for a pass / flick and his creativity. With Naby Keita behind him we are looking at an even more lethal attack than we have now.
 
On current form, he certainly looks more than good enough.

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't always try to improve all parts of the team if we feel their are better options (not saying there is), that goes for all our players.

I think Firmino is untouchable in Klopps eyes, given he offers the whole package upfront.

But moving forwards I do think Naby Keita arriving will open up more formations. Really we've been playing a three man CM, as we've not had the players to play a two man CM effectively.

Klopp at Dortmund used 4-2-3-1 frequently. If he wants to switch more to that formation, Firmino might become more of a number 10, with another striker coming.

Even this season we've seen 4-4-2 been used and Salah has been more central at times.

I think managers like options and part of our attacking strength is our versatility & fluidity between formations. Naby Keita will make than even more feasibly and Firmino given his all round game can happily inter change positions, as can Mane, Salah, Ox and I suspect any new signings arriving.

I have always believed it's about how many goals the team score, not certain individuals. Firmino doesn't have to be the top scorer, get 20+ goals to be effective as he creates so many chances for his teammates, not only with his passing - but with his constant movement, leaving gaps for Salah & Mane to exploit.

He's good enough to be in the team. Whether that's as a number 10, leading the line - I think he can do either.

But one thing that's clear, he's an incredibly important player and it's great to see him thriving. But I do not believe he should be judged on goals, if he gets them then it's great. But he's a playmaker just as much as a goalscorer in this team. Also like Ian Rush, he leads the defensive part of our game and that's why I think he'll always be central to our game under Klopp, be it as a 9, 9 & a half or 10.
 
Although I wasn't looking to derail this with 'do we need reinforcements?', as it's obvious we do. On that subject though, I've a feeling Klopp won't go for a specialist forward and will go for an attacker that can play any of the front three or even four positions.

Anyhoo, I'm asking the question because a lot of people wanted Firmino replaced prior to this season, and was wondering with his added goals it's made a difference. He's still not ultra prolific in the Aguero, Suarez fashion so I thought it might be a fair question.
 
Oh, and I'd rather find another player to play the number 10 role. As much as I love Firmino as a forward, I think he's pretty shite in all other positions.
 
I think he's good enough. Problem is we need another striker he can compete with. Solanke isn't anywhere close to being ready.
 
On current form, he certainly looks more than good enough.

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't always try to improve all parts of the team if we feel their are better options (not saying there is), that goes for all our players.

I think Firmino is untouchable in Klopps eyes, given he offers the whole package upfront.

But moving forwards I do think Naby Keita arriving will open up more formations. Really we've been playing a three man CM, as we've not had the players to play a two man CM effectively.

Klopp at Dortmund used 4-2-3-1 frequently. If he wants to switch more to that formation, Firmino might become more of a number 10, with another striker coming.

Even this season we've seen 4-4-2 been used and Salah has been more central at times.

I think managers like options and part of our attacking strength is our versatility & fluidity between formations. Naby Keita will make than even more feasibly and Firmino given his all round game can happily inter change positions, as can Mane, Salah, Ox and I suspect any new signings arriving.

I have always believed it's about how many goals the team score, not certain individuals. Firmino doesn't have to be the top scorer, get 20+ goals to be effective as he creates so many chances for his teammates, not only with his passing - but with his constant movement, leaving gaps for Salah & Mane to exploit.

He's good enough to be in the team. Whether that's as a number 10, leading the line - I think he can do either.

But one thing that's clear, he's an incredibly important player and it's great to see him thriving. But I do not believe he should be judged on goals, if he gets them then it's great. But he's a playmaker just as much as a goalscorer in this team. Also like Ian Rush, he leads the defensive part of our game and that's why I think he'll always be central to our game under Klopp, be it as a 9, 9 & a half or 10.

A change from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 would be to strengthen the defensive part of out game? I don't are that being the outcome as 2 of the 3 would be Salah and Mane who will be offensive in their minds anyway. And a formation change to strengthen us attacking wise doesn't seem necessary.
 
31 games and 17 goals this season. Thats extremely good when you consider every other attribute he has and what he brings to the team.
He's developed this season in to one of the best forwards in the league in my opinion.

Those of us who thought he could score 15-20 goals a season dont look so silly now eh? Flabby melt.

These stats show just what else he brings to the team: besides goals, assists and the most chances created in the league:

DTljyY9X0AE4yxs.jpg
 
Although I wasn't looking to derail this with 'do we need reinforcements?', as it's obvious we do. On that subject though, I've a feeling Klopp won't go for a specialist forward and will go for an attacker that can play any of the front three or even four positions.

Anyhoo, I'm asking the question because a lot of people wanted Firmino replaced prior to this season, and was wondering with his added goals it's made a difference. He's still not ultra prolific in the Aguero, Suarez fashion so I thought it might be a fair question.
Ultra prolific ?

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/premier-league/top-scorers
 
He’s perfectly suited to Klopp’s way of playing. His strengths are really showcased.

When he’s put in a team trying to play a different way he can look terrible as he did behind Benteke.
 
If we had more attacking options (e.g. if Ox continues his upwards trajectory and Lallana gets back up to last season's speed) i think the option of rotating Firmino by putting Salah through the middle would also work.
 
A change from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 would be to strengthen the defensive part of out game? I don't are that being the outcome as 2 of the 3 would be Salah and Mane who will be offensive in their minds anyway. And a formation change to strengthen us attacking wise doesn't seem necessary.

I think it can improve our defensive game, yes. But you need two CMs capable of playing in a two.

A three has suited us more up to now. But with Keita and maybe more CMs arriving that could change.

I don't think we'll restrict ourselves to one formation though. Like we haven't so far under Klopp.
 
People just need to realise that the way he plays allows the goals to be more spread around. He's creating scoring opportunities for Salah and Mané. He's also defending from the front. I wish we had a decent enough back up. Shame Origi didn't work out. Maybe it's time to get Brewster in the mix.
 
Werner would be absolutely terrific, but he's the kind of striker you build your team around.
 
Werner would be absolutely terrific, but he's the kind of striker you build your team around.
To be fair, we have kind of built our team around bobby, or rather that style of play
 
I wish he'd stop getting needless yellows cos he whips his top off after scoring, I know it's emotional and a release but with time left in the game it's silly. Plus he'll end up suspended cos he gets those silly yellows
 
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