Fabinho believes Roberto Firmino can play as a No.8, such is his ability on the ball and adaptability.
The Brazilian No.9 plays as a forward and has hit nine goals in 23 appearances in the league this term.
Can Firmino play as a centre-mid? Four things to know…
- Firmino moved to Liverpool from Hoffenheim in 2015 for £29m.
- At the German club, Firmino was primarily played as an attacking midfielder, though at Liverpool he has predominantly featured on the wing or in a false-nine position.
- He has since gone on to appear 175 times for Liverpool, scoring 61 times.
- The attacker has a passing success rate of 82.4% in the league and has registered three assists.
Fabinho, who is himself a Brazil international with seven caps, recently told Liverpoolfc.com: “Firmino is a player who is really good at adapting to different positions. He is a No.9 but he helps a lot in build-up play.
“He is very important to the team in many stages of the game; he plays as if in the No.10 role or a No.8 role, he is a really smart guy who adapts to what the team needs.
“He is great at playing with his back to goal and, like I said, in build-up play and starting attacks. He helps a lot in general teamwork as well as being a top finisher. So, yes, he is a really important player for us.”
Fabinho agreed his teammate can be considered the ‘complete forward’, adding: “No doubt about it.
“He is a player who, outside the box, is really smart and he makes the team tick. In the box, his finishing is indisputably good, both with his right foot, left foot and in the air.
“If you look at the four goals he scored against Arsenal and City, you can tell he’s a big-game player. His confidence is sky high and I hope he keeps up this confidence and keeps scoring goals for a long time to come.”
Would Klopp play Firmino in the middle of the park?
It’s an interesting idea, if a bit unlikely.
Liverpool are blessed with tremendous depth in midfield and attack, and while that true creator in midfield is somewhat elusive – despite the brilliant debut season of Shaqiri – it seems farfetched to suggest Firmino would play in the engine room alongside, Wijnaldum, Milner, Henderson, Fabinho and the rest.
Still, the sentiment is correct, Firmino does have the most cultured skill-set of any striker in the league, and there is little doubt he could fulfil the role well.
Liverpool play Leicester City on Wednesday in the league at Anfield.
The post Roberto Firmino can play as a No.8 for Liverpool, says Fabinho appeared first on Squawka News.
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