Liverpool FC legend John Aldridge has lashed out at Reds’ forward Roberto Firmino, saying that the Brazilian has been ‘absolutely redundant’ the past two weeks, after a heroic display against Manchester City.
Delivering a damning assessment of Firmino’s recent lacklustre performances, Aldridge destroyed the Brazilian in admitting that he has done little to live up to the expectations with which he arrived at Anfield.
Firmino misses Coutinho
Firmino, who was bought for A?29m in the summer, has been eye-catchingly disappointing since his man-of-the-match display against Man City. Aldridge is quick to reckon that the Brazilian has been poor because of the absence of Philippe Coutinho.
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“Roberto Firmino is playing as if something is wrong, mentally and physically. Hea s been absolutely redundant the last two games after such a great display at Man City.
“It can’t just be the fact his mate Coutinho is missing,” Aldridge said in his weekly column for Liverpool echo.
‘Firmino made Benteke look worse’
Roberto Firmino was the star performer against Man City in the 4-1 win at the Etihad, but Aldridge believes the former Hoffenheim striker was culpable for Liverpool’s loss to Newcastle on Sunday.
“Christian Benteke played badly, but it was Firmino who made him look worse. Everything Benteke needed from him was absent in a horrible display.
“The Brazilian also pulled out of a challenge that was 55-45 in his favour. Liverpool fans wona t accept that. Ia ve been going for 50 years and I know ita s unacceptable.
“If the ball is there to be won you win it. Hea s going to have to learn to get stuck in.”
Firmino must improve
Since arriving at Anfield, Firmino is yet to show the Liverpool fans, the form and impressive displays that saw him score 38 goals for Hoffenheim. The match against Man City is his standout performance so far, but the Brazilian needs to shift up a couple of gears, if he has to maintain a place in the starting eleven.