Roberto Firmino could be the first to face the axe from Liverpool FC’s famed frontline as the Merseysiders reel in an uninspiring run of form in recent weeks, says Jamie Carragher.
Firmino’s sluggishness in front of the goal was made note of by Carragher in the aftermath of the 0-0 stalemate at Anfield on Sunday, with Jurgen Klopp’s men failing to win their fourth successive game in league outings.
The Brazillian international struggled to get the best out of opportunities created for him by the likes of Salah and Shaqiri to put one past Manchester United No.1 David de Gea and seal a much-needed victory for the Reds, one which would have taken them back to the summit ahead of their North-West foes.
Carragher, while speaking to Sky Sports, as reported by the Daily Mail, acknowledged the fact that the star-studded attacking combine employed by Jurgen Klopp was nearing a breakup mainly due to the advancing age of all three attacking stars but it was Firmino who risked being the first to drop out owing to his inconsistency in first-team football.
‘When we talk about this Liverpool team, we talk about the front three,’ said Carragher on Monday Night Football. ‘It’s almost like they come as a package.
‘The reason I say that Liverpool’s front three is unique is not that they are better than other front threes, it’s how long they’ve stayed together.
‘They are all getting to their late 20s and sooner or later that front three will have to be broken up.
‘You can’t, in two years’ time, say ‘we’re going to buy a new front three’ and replace them all. It will change over time.
‘I am still confident Mane and Salah will start scoring goals again. I must say I am worried for Firmino.
‘He has never been seen as ‘the’ goalscorer. That is the responsibility of the other two, but he is there to chip in.
‘When they are not scoring, he has to be a bigger goal threat.
‘Yesterday (during the 0-0 draw with Manchester United) he had a couple of chances but did not quite strike the ball right.’
