Having endured two difficult campaigns, Roberto Firmino is proving himself to be a key player for Liverpool once again.
The Brazilian opened the scoring for the Reds as they defeated Southampton on Saturday, his ninth goal of the season. It took him just six minutes to do so, heading in Andy Robertson's free-kick to set his side on their way to a crucial three points.
In doing so, he also hit back at Reds legend Jamie Carragher, who has previously questioned his longevity at Liverpool. Carragher's concern came in January 2021 following a goalless draw at Manchester United, which led to him tipping Firmino to be allowed to leave.
"When we talk about this Liverpool team, we talk about the front three It's almost like they come as a package. The reason I say that Liverpool's front three is unique is not that they are better than other front threes, it's how long they've stayed together," he told Sky Sports.
“They are all getting to their late 20s and sooner or later that front three will have to be broken up. You can’t, in two years’ time, say ‘we’re going to buy a new front three’ and replace them all. It will change over time.
“I am still confident Mane and Salah will start scoring goals again. I must say I am worried for Firmino. He has never been seen as ‘the’ goalscorer. That is the responsibility of the other two, but he is there to chip in.
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"When they are not scoring, he has to be a bigger goal threat. Yesterday (during the 0-0 draw with Manchester United) he had a couple of chances but did not quite strike the ball right."
Having enjoyed a strong first half of the current season, Firmino has clearly proven Carragher wrong. So much so that Liverpool are now attempting to extend his stay at Anfield.
Firmino's contract will expire at the end of the season, but boss Jurgen Klopp is keen to keep him. And the German is also hoping he can find added motivation from his omission from Brazil's World Cup squad.
"Normal conversations [are] happening. So we will see what happens there," Klopp said of the negotiations with Firmino.
"It was a blow, definitely. You couldn’t see it in training but definitely you could see, it was clear. It was a blow for me to be honest. So I am in between, I am happy we have Bobby for more time, but I think he deserves it.
"I think he deserves everything in the world to be 100 per cent honest. And it shows just how incredibly good and talented this Brazil squad is if you can leave a player like Bobby Firmino out, madness.
"Yes, of course, we will talk. We have already and maybe we will again but he's fine. It's how everyone can imagine, he is very disappointed about the fact, but that is it."
