Pundit makes ‘massive’ Liverpool January claim as ‘brilliant’ Firmino in line for key role
Roberto Firmino has a “massive” role to play as Liverpool hunt a second Premier League title.
That’s according to former West Ham hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider amid a possible blow for the Reds.
Firmino, 30, has scored six goals in eight games this season, including a hat-trick against Watford last time out in the Premier League.
On Thursday, The Athletic revealed players who play in January’s Africa Cup of Nations could miss six Premier League games.
In Liverpool’s case, this means Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita could miss some vital games in early 2022.
McAvennie insists Firmino will be the main man when Liverpool’s attackers head off in January and claimed he will step up in their absence.
“It must be so hard for him at the moment,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“Poor Bobby, he’s playing really well. He’s scored a hattrick last week and didn’t even get the man of the match.
“I’m joking, of course. Listen, he’s a brilliant player, we all know that.
“Last season he didn’t do as well as he would have liked but he’s made a cracking start this year.
“He’s going to be so important when the other lads go away in January.
“That will make or break their season. As it stands, they can’t afford to lose Salah. Then Mane’s going as well.
“So it all lies on Firmino really. He’s shown he can take the mantle but it will be tough for him.
“I think he has a massive role to play if Liverpool are to stay in the title race.”
In other news, a pundit has claimed Fabinho has dropped a ‘definite’ hint over a big-name Liverpool signing after a source reveal.