---
title: "Roberto Firmino should start over Jota against Man City, claims John Barnes"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/firmino-should-start-over-jota-v-man-city-john-barnes/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2020-11-05T19:00:05Z"
modified: "2020-11-05T19:00:05Z"
---

# Roberto Firmino should start over Jota against Man City, claims John Barnes

John Barnes believes [Roberto Firmino](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2020/11/05/firmino-premier-league-worst-finisher-2019-2020/) should start for Liverpool this weekend as the Reds visit Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp’s men make the trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in what could prove to be a crucial game in the Premier League title race.

Klopp has a pleasant selection headache ahead of the match, with Dioga Jota [in sensational form](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/diogo-jota/leistungsdaten/spieler/340950) following his hat-trick away to Atalanta. There are some who [believe](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/klopp-jota-firmino-liverpool-city-19219545) Firmino should make way for the Portuguese against Ma City, but Barnes isn’t one of them.

Speaking to *[talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/)*, via *[The Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-firmino-jota-man-city-22957879)*, the Liverpool legend believes Firmino’s style is more suited to Sunday’s match, saying:

> Jota scored a hat-trick, but that doesn’t mean he automatically goes into the team against Man City.

> I think who plays depends on what the games are and who they’re against and how that team plays.

> Against Man City, where you’re not going to have as much possession, maybe Firmino will be a better bet. You need a player like Bobby Firmino to not only get hold of the ball but also do his defensive work.

> If you’re playing a game against Atalanta or Leeds, a more open team, they you can see Jota coming in.

### Read Liverpool Verdict

It is a tough decision for Klopp to make, but one which could be so vital come Sunday evening.

I think Firmino just about deserves to start, with his knowledge of matches involving City working in his favour. He has [scored five times](https://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/GoalsPerTeam/1288-36) against them in the past.

Jota doesn’t drop deep and affect play in the manner Firmino does, and it could be that the former is used as a devastating second half substitute instead.

While it may appear as though Jota is in pole position, having started alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in midweek, I expect to see Firmino back in the starting lineup on Sunday.