OPINION
Eyebrows will have been raised when Liverpool released their teamsheet with influential forward Roberto Firmino on the bench against Newcastle United.
Jurgen Klopp decided to rest the Brazilian and hand a start to Divock Origi after Premier League football resumed after the international break.
The Reds struggled in the opening period of the game and fell behind somewhat surprisingly when Jetro Willems put Newcastle into the lead.
Liverpool got back into the game after great individual work from Andrew Robertson set up Sadio Mane to emphatically curl the ball into the top corner.
Despite being level, the Reds weren’t their usual selves going forward, but that changed before half-time when Firmino was introduced into the game for the injured Origi.
The Brazilian came on and instantly made an impact, as he played a part in Mane’s second after a mistake from Newcastle stopper Martin Dubravka.
Firmino continued to make the Magpies’ defence look fragile as his flair opened them up with ease throughout the game, none better than his skilful assist for Mohamed Salah’s goal which sealed all three points.
Despite only playing 53 minutes in the game, Firmino can surely feel aggrieved not to have been selected in Jamie Redknapp’s Team of the Week, especially after his glowing praise for the forward.
“I have to devote a separate section to Roberto Firmino,” he wrote in his Daily Mail column.
“That flick into Mohamed Salah deserves nothing less — it was an outrageous piece of skill. Firmino is such an influential player and any budding strikers should study him.”
“Not only does he possess the ability to produce those moments of magic he also does the dirty work. His work rate is relentless. Silky Firmino really is the full package.”
The 27-year-old was unplayable at Anfield, having two shots and completing four key passes according to WhoScored, as he looked like scoring or assisting whenever he got on the ball.
Firmino can surely feel aggrieved at not making Redknapp’s Team of the Week, especially after the former Liverpool midfielder heaped praise on his performance.
