Firmino key to Reds’ title challenge

There has been some speculation regarding Roberto Firmino’s future at Liverpool, but the Brazilian continues to show why Jurgen Klopp will fight to keep him at Anfield.

Real Madrid have been linked with Firmino in recent months but it looks like Los Blancos will have to look at other targets, with the Reds star seemingly going nowhere.

Popular among the fans

Firmino has the backing of the majority of fans at Anfield, with regulars to the ground regarding the Brazilian as a popular figure and he has been a pivotal player in their success over the last few seasons. Liverpool’s popularity across the globe has always been big but, with their Premier League success last season, it has grown even more.

The Premier League continues to attract fans and the sheer demand has led to expansion into numerous entertainment formats in order to satisfy this. Recent documentaries such as All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur have been very popular, while in the world of gaming the FIFA continues to go from strength to strength, with the licenses for the top league including the Premier League being a big part of this. Online casino is no different as there are a wide range of football slots, including Football Champions Cup and Golden Goal. As the Premier League continues to expand into the public consciousness across the globe, along with other competitions such as the Champions League, Liverpool are set to benefit from this as they are likely to attract new fans through their exciting style and ruthlessness in big games.

More than goals to Firmino’s game

It has not been the easiest start to the season for Firmino, with his late winner in the top-of-the-table clash against Tottenham ending a six-game drought. When it comes to Liverpool’s formidable trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Firmino, it is often the latter who is lower in the scoring tally. For those who watch Klopp’s side regularly, they will know what Firmino offers is much more than goals.

Firmino is one of main creative players in the team and he is also the first port of call for the defensive press that has served Liverpool so well since Klopp took charge at Anfield. While the goals have been hard to come by, the manager has always publicly backed the former Hoffenheim forward.

Four won’t go into three

Competition for places has also been a factor for Firmino this season, and the arrival of Diogo Jota from Wolves over the summer has certainly driven up standards. A few eyebrows were raised when Liverpool splashed what could be up to £45m on the man from Molineux. However, the 23-year-old Portuguese has fit in seamlessly to the set-up at Liverpool and was pushing for starts on a weekly basis before picking up a knee injury.

Klopp has tweaked his system to fit in all four attackers a number of times this season, but it remains to be seen whether this is a long-term solution and a move away from the system that helped him win the Premier League title last season. While Jota is recovering from his knee problem, Firmino will look to prove why he should be starting the majority of games.

It’s a nice selection headache for Klopp to have when all his attacking stars are fit and well, but for the moment with Jota out, the selection process looks to be pretty straightforward for the former Borussia Dortmund boss. Goals like the one against Tottenham will do Firmino’s chances for starts no harm whatsoever, as the Reds look to retain their Premier League crown this season.