Ian Wright suggests Tottenham star is outperforming £29m Liverpool man in same role

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Ian Wright has told the Kelly and Wrighty Show on Optus Sport that he believes Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane has taken on a similar role to Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino – but thinks the England skipper is outdoing the Brazilian.

Firmino, 29, has moulded a new position under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool over the years – playing as a centre-forward but dropping into the 10 role and becoming unmarked, allowing Sadio Mane and Mo Salah to push forward.

Hardly a number nine role, but it is more attacking than playing in attacking midfield. The 9.5 role, if anything. But what Firmino lacks in the role is the ability to score goals regularly – scoring just 12 in 52 games last season, and two in 16 this season.

The £180k-a-week (Spotrac) star has been crucial to Liverpool and Kane has now adapted the same role – dropping deeper and starting attacks. The difference is, Kane has had a hand in 24 goals this season. Wright says Kane is outperforming Firmino.

“He’s doing Firmino’s role, but he’s scoring as well. That’s the thing. I love Firmino, but he’s [Kane] doing it so well.”

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s north London derby, Wright said: “Someone has to take care of that [Kane], bring back Elneny? Someone who has got the legs in there when Kane drops in. If he’s got time, I’m not sure how we will deal with those runners.”

TBR’s view – Is Kane a better version of Firmino?

Right now, yes. Firmino’s lack of goals has seen Diogo Jota break into the Liverpool side – and even see Klopp actually considering Firmino as an attacking midfielder, Jota up front and Mane and Salah on the wings in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Kane has the ability to provide a defensive quality to his side, he has the vision and the footballing intelligence to pick up pockets of space that the opposition find it impossible to mark – and is still scoring goals. Perhaps he is Firmino, just with confidence?