OPINION
If Liverpool are to go on and secure a first league triumph in almost 30 years then they will need all of their top players in peak form.
That’s not always been the case for attacker Roberto Firmino this season, but his international exploits over the last week have shown that he is now very much back to his best.
Firstly he wowed as one of the few impressive players on the pitch for Brazil in their disappointing 1-1 draw with Panama on Saturday, before getting on the scoresheet in his nation’s come-from-behind victory over Czech Republic on Tuesday.
He started ahead of Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus in both those games and showed why, too, even if the City star did come off the bench to net a deciding brace against the Czechs.
That is of no consequence to Liverpool supporters, though. They will merely be pleased that one of their star men has enjoyed a productive, injury-free international break.
They will be over the moon, too, when they consider that the 27-year-old’s latest strike represents a definite return to form for him. His bounce-back started against Burnley earlier this month when he scored twice, while he also grabbed an assist against Fulham last time out in the Premier League.
That he has followed up those fine displays with two excellent international outings suggests that he is very much in the zone – and in the nick of time no less.
Jurgen Klopp can afford no passengers down the stretch this season if the Reds are to fulfil their fans’ dreams and finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy. Firmino will be key to that happening, and his international exploits suggest that he is ready to get the job done.
