Roberto Firmino
The Brazilian only got 12 minutes to show fans what he’s capable of, with Brendan Rodgers bringing him on for Jordon Ibe down the right. Firmino prefers to play centrally, but showed a few nice touches from the inverted touchline position. He attacked his fullback on more than one occasion, and managed to recycle possession when under pressure from Stoke defenders, who tried to double up on him. Most impressively, Firmino made two diagonal runs down the right, enabling Nathaniel Clyne at right-back an out option as we tried to kill the game having taken the lead. Almost more tellingly though, Firmino bagged a hat-trick in a friendly v TNS at Melwood this Monday – showing that he’s increasing in sharpness, and could be available for the Bournemouth clash.
