Roberto Firmino was recently crowned Liverpool’s January Player of the Month. January was perhaps the “most Liverpool” type of month that there is possible with the high of the 4-3 victory over Manchester City and the lows of the disappointing losses against Swansea and West Brom.
This is the second time Firmino has been named as the Standard Chartered Player of the Month, the Brazilian won the same award in January 2016.
We’ve looked at Firmino’s January and how he won the award.
Burnley (2-1 win)
After a busy Christmas schedule, Firmino was placed on the bench and came on in the 72nd minute for Sadio Mane but he had no real impact on the game.
Everton (2-1 win)
Firmino returned to the starting line up for the Merseyside FA Cup derby but this game will be remembered not for his performance but his altercation with Everton’s Mason Holgate, where Firmino was recently cleared of any racial abuse.
Manchester City (4-3 win, 1 goal & 1 assist)
Quite possibly Firmino’s best performance of this month. He started by assisting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who gave Liverpool a 1-0 lead but Firmino’s best part of the match was his goal.
The Brazilian out muscled John Stones and then expertly chipped his fellow countryman Ederson to restore Liverpool’s lead. The Red’s highlight of the month.
Swansea City (1-0 loss)
A typical Liverpool performance following a big win over a rival. Firmino’s night was summed up as in the dying seconds he missed a sitter as he headed an easy opportunity onto the woodwork, followed by Lallana clearing the crossbar with the rebound.
West Brom (3-2 loss, 1 goal)
This match was indifferent for Firmino. Five minutes in and he gave Liverpool the lead as he coolly chipped Ben Foster. However, on a VAR controlled night, Firmino missed from the penalty spot after VAR awarded a penalty for a pull on Mohamed Salah.
Huddersfield (3-0 win, 1 goal)
Liverpool bounced back superbly to sweep aside Huddersfield and Firmino grabbed Liverpool’s second as he scored past a bemused Jonas Lossl from a seemingly impossible angle.
It was certainly an impressive month for Firmino, with a total of three goals and two assists in all competitions. Both Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool supporters will be hoping for more of the same from the Brazilian going forward.
