Roberto Firmino Slammed by John Aldridge for Abject Liverpool Performances

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has hit out at the Reds’ marquee summer signing, Roberto Firmino, criticising the Brazil international for a lack of commitment in recent weeks.

Jurgen Klopp’s men suffered a shock defeat to Newcastle United at the weekend, sapping some of the momentum built up after some strong recent displays. In his column for the Liverpool Echo, Aldridge, who won a league title and an FA Cup with the Reds, was critical of the display and especially the former Hoffenheim man:

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Roberto Firmino is playing as if something is wrong, mentally and physically. He’s been absolutely redundant the last two games after such a great display at Man City. It can’t just be the fact his mate Coutinho has been missing.

Christian Benteke played badly—he was stood outside the box when two good crosses came in, one from Moreno—but it was Firmino who made him look worse. Everything Benteke needed from him was absent in a horrible display. …

The Brazilian also pulled out of a challenge that was 55-45 in his favour. Liverpool fans won’t accept that. I’ve been going for 50 years and I know it’s unacceptable. If the ball is there to be won you win it. He’s going to have to learn to get stuck in.

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Liverpool splashed a whopping £29 million to bring Firmino to the club in the summer, sparking plenty of excitement among the fanbase. Klopp, who had seen the Brazilian at close quarters during his time in the Bundesliga, was expected to come in and push the 24-year-old on after a difficult start to life at Anfield.

Against Manchester City a fortnight ago, when Liverpool were rampant 4-1 winners, the Brazilian was magnificent, per WhoScored.com:

Since then, he’s not been at his best. Granted, Philippe Coutinho’s absence through injury has hindered the Selecao star, with the two linking up magnificently at the Etihad Stadium. However, as Aldridge noted, for a player who arrived at the club with so much pedigree and for so much money, there are plenty expecting a lot more.

After all, as we can see here, during his time with Hoffenheim, the Brazilian was a major force in attacking areas:

There will be a period of adaptation, though. Although there are some stylistic similarities between the Bundesliga and the Premier League, the latter is a lot more physical and for a player of Firmino’s slight build it can be a chastening experience. That was evident against Newcastle in the defeat.

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As Bleacher Report’s Matt Ladson noted in the aftermath of that loss, the attacking side of the team has lacked balance in recent league contests:

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No goals from open play in last 2 league games. Benteke, Ibe, Firmino started both. Not a combination that works together.

— Matt Ladson (@mattladson) December 6, 2015"

Firmino has had a lot to deal with in the early months as a Liverpool player. He struggled for fitness after the summer’s Copa America, the manager who acquired him, Brendan Rodgers, was sacked, he was sidelined with a back injury and then a new boss came in. In addition, he’s been shunted around the team in a host of different positions.

So it’s no surprise Firmino has struggled for consistency on the field when there’s so much change off it. If Klopp can facilitate a regular spot in the side for the Brazilian he has the quality to thrive in this Liverpool setup. But irregularity in his duties will inevitably result in further patchy performances.