OPINION
Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino has been spearheading the attack for the majority of the season so far, but Wednesday night’s game against Watford will see him sidelined.
Evening Standard journalist David Lynch relayed on his personal Twitter account that the forward was more likely to start against Everton than he would be to start against the Hornets after sustaining an ankle injury, a situation which means that Jurgen Klopp will be forced to turn to one of his fringe players.
Roberto Firmino will be "very close" for Watford but more likely to return against Everton, says Jurgen Klopp.
— David Lynch (@dmlynchlfc) February 26, 2019
Daniel Sturridge is no doubt a likely contender to lead the line on Wednesday, but Klopp must take a risk and start Divock Origi instead, as he is more than capable of filling the void.
Sturridge lacks the physicality that is a prominent attribute in Origi’s game, even if his teammate does have more of a threat in front of goal than the Belgian does.
His winning goal in stoppage time in the game against Everton earlier on in the season would have no doubt gone down in Liverpool folklore, and even though he has not quite lived up to the hype that result provided, he is more than able of playing against Watford.
The Hornets do not have the most solid defence in the Premier League, and this must be taken advantage of with Origi’s strength and power in the box.
He needs game time in order to improve, and what a better opportunity to give him that by starting him in the absence of a striker who makes the teamsheet every week.
The 23-year-old – who has played six times in the league this term – will not get a chance to shine like this again, so he must make the most of it if Klopp decides that he is the man for the job.
Klopp must take the plunge and start the fringe figure on Wednesday, as he offers something different to the likes of Sturridge.
