Jamie Carragher was left baffled by Jurgen Klopp’s decision to sub Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah during the 1-0 win over Everton on Sunday.
The Sky Sports pundit couldn’t understand why the Egyptian winger was replaced by Daniel Sturridge in the 75th minute of the clash with the Toffees as he is always capable of getting the Reds a goal.
Carragher was even more confused by the decision as he couldn’t believe that Roberto Firmino was still on the pitch at this point and labelled his display on Sunday as really poor.
“There’s lot of games coming up that maybe something in it but I can’t believe Firmino is still on the pitch,” said Carragher on Sky Sports Premier League upon Salah leaving the pitch (Sunday December 2nd, 17:54).
“I would have left Salah on as he can always get you a goal, it’s a huge game and I know there is a game in midweek and next week, another goalscorer coming on but I don’t understand that one.
“I think Firmino has been really poor.”
OPINION
While Carragher’s confusion was shortly lived as Firmino left the pitch in the 84th minute to be replaced by eventual match winner Divock Origi, it’s still easy to see why he was surprised at Klopp’s decision during the game. The Sky Sports pundit slams Firmino for his display by being generally shocked he wasn’t the first attacker hooked off as that shows just how unimpressed he was on Sunday. The Brazilian forward has struggled for form lately and that continued against the Toffees unfortunately for him. The 27-year-old was very quiet in the first half and when he did have a decent chance to score early in the second half, he woefully dragged his shot wide. Firmino may have scored three league goals this season but there’s clearly something wrong with the player as it stands, as he looks a shadow of the forward he was last season. Hopefully he just needs a rest or some confidence built up, as if Firmino can’t get his form back on track that would be a problem for the Reds’ title ambitions.
