“The Evolution of Roberto Firmino at Liverpool: From Confusion to Legend”

Liverpool –

Roberto Firmino will go from Liverpool legend status. However, who would have thought at the beginning of his arrival, Firmino was confused about which position to play.

Firmino has decided not to continue with Liverpool next season after his contract expires this summer. This also ends Firmino’s eight years of service in the red-red jersey.

At Liverpool, Firmino made a name for himself after forming the Firmansah Trio with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. Firmino even created a new role for player number nine, defensive forward, which is often called the Firmino Role in Juergen Klopp’s playing scheme.

Even though his goal record is not as high as Salah or Mane, Firmino is so important in Liverpool’s efforts to build attacks. He is Liverpool’s first defense because he is tasked with snatching the ball from the opponent.

However, Firmino reached his position as a Liverpool legend with difficulty. The reason is that Firmino was confused about where to play when he first signed from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015. At that time Liverpool were still in charge Brendan Rodgers who are looking for a forward, after the team’s poor performance in the 2014/2015 season.

In the first three months, Firmino struggled so he rarely started. So Juergen Klopp replacing Rodgers in October 2015, Firmino found life at Liverpool, then scored his first goal against Manchester City 4-1, so far he has collected 109 goals and 79 assists from 360 matches.

“In the first weeks after arriving, I didn’t even know where to play. I could play anywhere, but neither I nor Brendan Rodgers understood my exact position on the pitch. When the current manager came in, we made new position, false 9. I also enjoy it. Previously I always played as number 10 and when I came here I was number 9, striker. I just tried my best and thank God everything went smoothly,” Firmino told the Guardian.

Firmino will play his last home game as a Liverpool player against Aston Villa at Anfield, Saturday (20/5/2023) evening WIB. It was one of Firmino’s last two games under Klopp, the manager who made him the Liverpool star he is today.

“Whose idea was the false 9? Me and Klopp came up with it together, but he said it was my idea. I said it was a joint idea. I’m a flexible person, I can play in any position up front. I want to always help the team.”

Watch Video “Klopp: Arsenal deserve to be at the top“

(mrp/cas)