I see some Firmino slander from people who only seem to see the game in terms of end product.
Against Salzburg, our entire gameplan was built on the idea that they would outnumber us in midfield unless Firmino dropped right in as a 6 or 8 at times. He wasn't a striker. Go watch
Against Salzburg, our entire gameplan was built on the idea that they would outnumber us in midfield unless Firmino dropped right in as a 6 or 8 at times. He wasn't a striker. Go watch
the game again and ask yourself whether what Firmino was doing resembled more a midfielder or a forward.
All Salzburg's danger in the first game stemmed from them overloading us in central areas with their 1-3 midfield and then using it to isolate our full backs.
All Salzburg's danger in the first game stemmed from them overloading us in central areas with their 1-3 midfield and then using it to isolate our full backs.
Klopp countered this by matching them up - look at our own 1-3 in midfield (Henderson - Naby, Bobby, Gini). Again, don't believe me, or the data, go back and watch the game. 
Then at the weekend, he was our penetrative midfielder. Almost every time we broke between their lines after escaping their press - it was Firmino. Henderson doesn't offer any penetration. Gini can't in a double pivot, he needs to be higher like with the Netherlands - so it fell
on Firmino to do so. Don't believe me - go back and watch the highlights of our game - who was the player in midfield who broke us through their press - Bobby. Look at the first goal, who breaks their press and finds Mané for example? Bobby
People who don't understand the game tactically don't think about player's performances in terms of problems and solutions. But that is essentially what your most tactical players like Firmino & Gini do for us. They look at what our systematic problems are then actively put make
their role to solve that problem. If we are losing compactness - they drop in and make sure they are always there when it happens - watch Firmino after our buildup collapsed twice in the game with Hendo at right back - he drops in to be the 2nd DM next to Gini.
If Firmino plays like a striker and stays in the box to get us more goals - we will be nowhere near top of the league. Because our entire system is built around him solving the problems of midfield before they even become perceived problems to you, the viewer.
The two players who get the most shit on this platform for playing the game intelligently and sacrificing their own numbers to pay the tactical debts of those around them are without doubt - Gini & Firmino. Also the two players Lijnders name dropped as being 'most crucial to our
way of playing'.
He also later stated "For me, the difference between a good player and a top player is that the top players can solve problems before they become problems, or they can solve problems in many different ways. "
He also later stated "For me, the difference between a good player and a top player is that the top players can solve problems before they become problems, or they can solve problems in many different ways. "
Gini and Firmino are our tactical problem solvers. Coaches absolutely love them. Because once you cross that line, any game plan you had can quickly go out the window. You need players that can react and adapt quickly to changes, unforeseen problems, etc.
That is why when the pair are fit - the start. That is why Gini plays more minutes than anybody in our midfield despite 'going missing'.
The idea seems to be a player is having a bad game if his personal numbers are bad - if he isn't scoring goals, or having enough shots, or has a poor conversion rate.
However, for some players the most important stuff they do doesn't involve the ball. Or does, but not in the
However, for some players the most important stuff they do doesn't involve the ball. Or does, but not in the
areas people pay attention to. Your tactical players are such players. If the entire system is built on them simply making the system work - when you are succeeding, then they have played a perfect game.
This seems counter intuitive but then go back and listen to Klopp talking
This seems counter intuitive but then go back and listen to Klopp talking
about Firmino, Salah and Mane. "Mo Salah, world class, but not every day. Sadio Mane, world class, but not every day. Roberto Firmino, world class, pretty much every day."
The other two are our finishing phase players - their performances are measured in what they do in the
The other two are our finishing phase players - their performances are measured in what they do in the
final third - or to elongate on the Shankly analogy - inhow well they play the piano on any given day. Firmino (and Gini) are more the piano carriers. He measures their performances on how well they solve the problems to allow the piano players to focus most on just playing it.
To make sure they are involved as little as possible in the carrying of the damn thing.
This is why when Firmino was criticised last season - Klopp was at a loss how fans and journos were slating him yet his 16 coaching buddies from Germany who saw the same game were lavishing
This is why when Firmino was criticised last season - Klopp was at a loss how fans and journos were slating him yet his 16 coaching buddies from Germany who saw the same game were lavishing
praise on Bobby.
Some see what he does with the ball. In particular in the opponents box. Any player maybe has the ball for 3 minutes in a game. A tiny fraction of that in the key areas - that is what LFC Twitter opinion is based on.
They see the whole damn match.
Some see what he does with the ball. In particular in the opponents box. Any player maybe has the ball for 3 minutes in a game. A tiny fraction of that in the key areas - that is what LFC Twitter opinion is based on.
They see the whole damn match.
