Crouch weighs in on Liverpool's Mane & Firmino crisis

The former Liverpool striker has given his thoughts behind Mane and Firmino’s struggles in front of goal this season.

Peter Crouch believes Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are both lacking confidence but accepts the Liverpool forwards have ‘something to prove’ before the end of the year.

Mane and Firmino have managed a combined three goals in their last 12 Premier League appearances. They again failed to score in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United over the weekend.

The goal burden instead fell to Mohamed Salah, who scored his 20th goal of the campaign at Anfield.

“One thing jumped out at me on Saturday when I was watching the game. It was the moment Salah got through in the first half and teed it up for Mane to finish,” Crouch told the Mail.

“The Mane of last year or the year before doesn’t think twice and he puts his foot through it.

“When he took a touch, however, I knew that was it. His confidence has deserted him and it’s the same for Firmino.

“I watch Firmino play and I see a beautiful footballer, whose flicks and positional play are outstanding but when he takes a shot, I expect it to roll on the floor to the goalkeeper.

“It’s important to stress that these two players command so much respect and I am not in the business of saying they should be sold.

“I was asked about moving them on by a reader last week and I found it disrespectful to say, after all they have done, that they should be sold.

“I’m prepared to give both of them some grace this season because things have been so strange. Liverpool need the season to end, their players need to be re-energized and I wouldn’t write them off.

“At the same time, they really do have something to prove in August.”