Firmino is a proper striker, says Klopp

LONDON (Reuters) - Brazilian Roberto Firmino has proved he is a real striker who can score goals regularly for Liverpool, according to manager Juergen Klopp.

Firmino is a proper striker, says Klopp

(Reuters)





A double in the dramatic 5-4 victory at Norwich City on Saturday followed two goals in the 3-3 draw with Arsenal 10 days earlier, the 21 million-pound Firmino having been chosen ahead of even more expensive striker Christian Benteke in both games.

When he failed to score in between times against Manchester United, questions were asked about whether he could play up front on his own, but Klopp says the Norwich match answered the question.

"Three days after Man United everyone asked ‘Firmino is not really a target striker,’" Klopp told reporters.

"Roberto is a striker. He is a very offensive player.

"A very offensive player can be a striker if you have the physical things.

"He can play there. He can make goals, he can score goals. He’s flexible, and he’s in brilliant shape."

Benteke has been out of form and not scored in 2016 but he could still start in Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at home to Stoke City, in which Liverpool have a 1-0 lead.

"Having the option with Christian is good," Klopp said.

"We have so many games that I can’t say this (player) or this is number one. We always have to make decisions."

The manager knows, however, that they must defend better against Stoke, especially at set plays, if they are to reach the Wembley final and give him the opportunity of a first trophy since succeeding Brendan Rodgers in October.

"It’s really frustrating," he said.

"We have to work on it and that is what we are doing."





(Reporting by Steve Tongue, editing by Ed Osmond)


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world