Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has criticised the performance of Roberto Firmino during Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
The Brazilian followed up his poor display against Swansea City with another below-par performance at St James’ Park, and in his column for the Liverpool Echo, Aldridge didn’t hold back when talking about the 24-year-old.
Roberto Firmino is playing as if something is wrong, mentally and physically. He’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 [Philippe] Coutinho has been missing.
Christian Benteke played badly – he was stood outside the box when two good crosses came in, one from Moreno – but it was Firmino who made him look worse. Everything Benteke needed from him was absent in a horrible display.
He needed him to be the link man but he wasn’t there. Benteke won his flick-ons but he was nowhere near him.
The former Republic of Ireland striker thought that Jurgen Klopp’s side looked much better when Firmino was substituted, which is not what you want to see having paid £29m for a player.
Firmino was the missing link and things improved when Adam Lallana, who played well, came on. It was like chalk and cheese.
Aldridge was keen to point out one particular moment in the game where he felt the Brazilian could have done much, much better.
The Brazilian also pulled out of a challenge that was 55-45 in his favour. Liverpool fans won’t accept that. I’ve been going for 50 years and I know it’s unacceptable. If the ball is there to be won you win it. He’s going to have to learn to get stuck in.
Liverpool travel to Sion for a Europa League tie on Thursday evening, and with qualification to the knockout stages already sealed, it will be interesting to see if Klopp decides to take a strong team to Switzerland to try and win the group, or if he rests his men ahead of Sunday’s clash with West Brom.
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