Expert shares ‘vital’ Roberto Firmino verdict after new Liverpool development
Noel Whelan has insisted Roberto Firmino is still a “vital” player for Liverpool despite entering the final year of his contract at Anfield.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, compared the 30-year-old to Man City star Kevin De Bruyne because of his “intelligence and movement”.
Firmino grabbed his 100th goal for Liverpool with his second in the 9-0 rout of Bournemouth on Saturday (27 August) – as well as notching three assists.
The Brazil international was leading the line in the absence of big-money addition Darwin Nunez – who was serving the second game of his three-match ban for headbutting Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen.
Firmino is out of contract at the end of the season – and it has been widely reported that he will be moving on to pastures new after a trophy-laden seven-year spell at the club.
Whelan hailed the “unsung hero” and insisted he still has “a part to play” as Liverpool try to regain the title from Man City.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’s one of these players that is an unsung hero because of what Mane and Salah have done.
“The goals he has scored have been vital – and he opens up a lot of opportunities for others with his skill and intelligence.
“It’s clear to see that he still has a part to play with his ability to score and assist.
“Players benefit massively from having him next to them on the field because of his intelligence and movement – very much like a Kevin De Bruyne.”
In other news, pundit “wowed” by Thiago Alcantara after Liverpool injury update.