Firmino fights for future
It took Roberto Firmino just six minutes to head home his ninth goal of the season against Southampton and show Tite exactly what he will be missing after leaving the Liverpool forward out of the Brazil squad for this winter’s World Cup.
Connecting perfectly with Andy Robertson’s free-kick, the 31-year-old’s looping header, reminiscent of Luis Garcia in his prime, left Gavin Bazunu with no chance as he gave the Reds an early lead. And while it was Firmino’s foul that led to the free-kick for the Saints’ equaliser moments later, he put in another peak display for Jurgen Klopp’s side as they went into the World Cup break off the back of the win.
The forward played a part in both of Darwin Nunez’s goals, playing the ball back to Harvey Elliott to cross for the Uruguayan’s first strike before unleashing Andy Robertson to pick out the striker for his second. And dropping deep and covering every blade of grass in the final third, it was very much a Firmino performance of old as he put personal disappointment to one side.
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‘Si Senor’ roared around Anfield when the Brazilian came on against Derby County off the back of his international snub in midweek, and it was the same again on numerous occasions as he helped down Southampton ahead of his reluctant winter break.
Firmino has outscored Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Antony this season, yet all the Premier League quartet were all called up at his expense. Yet this is not a surprise, considering he has not played for Brazil since last year’s Copa America final.
Granted, a lot of his absences were because of injury, but the Selecao have perhaps outgrown him in his absence. Older than all nine of the forwards Tite selected for Qatar, Brazil are simply looking to a future without Firmino.
But that might not be the case at Anfield at least, despite the forward’s contract expiring next summer. Klopp has spoken repeatedly about his continued importance and suggested on Friday that talks have and will continue to be held.
‘The best in the world, his name is Bobby Firmino,’ Kopites remind all who listen on a regular basis. Tite might have missed that memo but he continues to fight for his Liverpool future with both hands. While he might be disappointed not to be competing in Qatar, his international manager might have inadvertently done the forward a favour and given him an extra point to prove in 2023.
The 31-year-old will now re-group with the forward enjoying a well-earned break before reporting to Dubai for the Reds’ mid-season winter break, fresher than ever and with the bit between his teeth. On this basis, Brazil’s loss will very much be Liverpool’s gain.
Elliott’s accidental audition
Liverpool’s midfield, and their failure to strengthen it sufficiently in the summer, has faced plenty of criticism this season but one talking point, in the midst of the Reds’ struggles, has been their issues with creativity.
Jurgen Klopp’s squad boasts 10 senior midfield options, yet Jordan Henderson and James Milner were the only two of them to register to assists prior to Liverpool’s clash with Southampton. Even then, they boasted just one apiece - the same number as goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Joe Gomez.
Admittedly, that lack of returns hasn’t been aided by long-term injuries to Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo. But at least, at the 24th time of asking, Harvey Elliott was able to join them and record his first Premier League assist as the Reds overcame the Saints.
The England Under-21s international picked out Darwin Nunez midway through the first half with a perfectly-placed lofted pass, gifting the Uruguayan a simple chance to sidefoot home first-time and restore Liverpool’s lead. It was one of a number of lively offensive showings from the 19-year-old as he linked up with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in attack.
His talent carrying the ball forward at his feet is clear for all to see, and now he is starting to implement this decisive final ball. While still a work in progress, and needing to develop his defensive instincts, his importance to Klopp’s side has continued to grow this season as a result.
The 19-year-old had had an outside chance of being included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup and, without knowing, perhaps briefly came back into contention on Saturday when James Maddison was forced off for Leicester City at West Ham just moments after Elliott had created Liverpool’s second goal back on Merseyside.
Alas, his accidental audition for a late call-up to Qatar was quickly called to a halt with Brendan Rodgers allaying such fears about his own midfielder’s involvement after the final whistle in the capital. Regardless, Elliott’s time will come.
The teenager will likely star for England Under-21s in next summer’s European Championships at least. Meanwhile, having started seven of the Reds’ nine Premier League and Champions League outings prior to the World Cup break, he has a genuine claim to being a first-choice Liverpool midfielder when domestic action resumes in time for the festive period.
Sure, the Reds’ engine-room still needs greater creativity and this will be addressed with a planned overhaul in 2023. But any new signing will be in addition to Elliott as opposed to in place of him.
Season starts here
Liverpool have done it. By hook or by crook, battered and bruised, they have got to the World Cup mid-season break in one piece. Ish.
It would be something of an understatement to say that the Reds’ 2022/23 season has not gone to plan so far. Rocked by an ever-growing list of injuries as they took to the field every weekend and midweek for what feels like since the beginning of time, it might be mid-November but their Premier League title hopes have long since died.
But they are down and not out as their 3-1 victory over Southampton in their final game before the break left them five points off the Champions League places in sixth place come the final whistle at Anfield, having played the same number of games as fourth-placed Newcastle United. Granted the Magpies’ evening kick-off with Chelsea would change such standings, while Brighton could overtake Liverpool with a win over Aston Villa on Sunday, but Klopp’s men know what they need to do when the Premier League restarts after Christmas.
With 20 of the German’s first team squad missing matches at one point or another through injury already this season, it was perhaps fitting that Jordan Henderson, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones and Calvin Ramsay all sat out Liverpool’s win over the Saints. Yet it mattered not as the Reds came through this final outing unscathed and finally crossed this long-desired finish line.
While seven members of Klopp’s squad now travel to Qatar for the World Cup, the rest will enjoy a holiday before reporting to Dubai for a mid-season training camp ahead of the second half of the campaign. Having endured the most strenuous of seasons last year, with their subsequent summer breaks and pre-season preparations admittedly too brief, it could be just what the doctor ordered.
When Liverpool return for action, first against Man City in the League Cup fourth round just days after the World Cup final then back in the Premier League away to Aston Villa on Boxing Day, their injury list will hopefully be a lot shorter as reinforcements wait in the wings.
Naby Keita and Joel Matip will be available for selection once more, with Diaz hopefully not too far behind. Should the Reds’ World Cup septet get through Qatar unscathed, it will leave Klopp with only Diogo Jota and Arthur Melo on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Klopp insisted last week that FSG’s search for investors would not impact Liverpool’s January transfer plans, admitting talks have been held with Anfield bosses even if decisions haven’t yet been made on what activity the Reds could look to do.
As Liverpool floundered during the first half of the season, their aim was always get to the World Cup break in one piece then regroup after Christmas. With the manner of their victory over Southampton a glimpse at the all-conquering Reds of old, all being well, 2023 is poised to be a much happier year at Anfield as they complete a winter reset before their top-four charge really begins.
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