Gary Neville praises Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino despite blunt weekend display

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville expressed his admiration for Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino after yesterday’s 1-1 draw between the clubs.

On Sky Sports, via Football365, Neville said he’s a huge fan of the Brazilian hitman who has been a huge success since his £29 million arrival (BBC) in 2015.

He said: “They [United] will play the way they want to play and sign a striker to suit that style. Liverpool play with three mobile strikers. Firmino doesn’t score 25 goals every year.

“He does an unbelievable job, I love him to bits, but he doesn’t score 25 goals. We had strikers at Manchester United who didn’t score 25, 30 goals but they did brilliant jobs. You can still win without a striker that scores 25, 30 goals.”

TBR’s View – Firmino struggled to adjust to reformatted Liverpool attack

So much of Liverpool’s attacking play is based around their rapid front three and their understanding that it was hardly a surprise that Firmino struggled to make an impact without Mo Salah on one side and with Sadio Mane’s role changed.

Firmino usually makes the runs into deep areas to allow Salah to burst in behind but Divock Origi wasn’t capable of doing the same yesterday and Mane was more reserved when not cutting inside onto his stronger right foot.

Neville is bang on to be a huge admirer and defend his goal record – Firmino has been absolutely outstanding under Jurgen Klopp for Liverpool.