- Roberto Firmino set to earn place in Brazil’s World Cup squad
- National team manager Tite names guaranteed 15-man cohort
- Philippe Coutinho pinpointed as likely starter
- SEE MORE: What happened when Harry Wilson played for Hull v Chelsea last night…
Roberto Firmino has earned a well-deserved reward for his stunning form for Liverpool so far this season.
Brazilian national team manager Tite has named a 15-man cohort guaranteed to feature in his squad for the World Cup this summer – including Jurgen Klopp’s popular no.9.
Gareth Southgate wouldn’t dare follow suit in selecting his England team early given the history of high-profile injuries in this country.
Though Firmino hasn’t been identified as a likely starter, the forward looks set to push his compatriots close in Russia.
“List is open in one part and closed in another. Closed on names with a consistent situation in their clubs and that, within the selection, already confirmed, affirmed and playing well,” Tite told UOL Esporte.
“They are the 11 who started They are the 11 who started [Alisson, Daniel Alves, Marquinhos, Miranda, Marcelo, Renato Augusto, Paulinho, Coutinho, Neymar and Gabriel Jesus], Thiago Silva, Fernandinho, Willian, Firmino.”
Firmino is currently enjoying his most productive season for the Reds, with 21 goals across all competitions already to his name.
The former Hoffenheim man finally appears to have quashed doubts over his ability to spearhead his team as a central striker, adding the statistics to compliment his reputation as the engine behind Liverpool’s devastating counterattacking approach.
He has starred alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane this campaign to help form one of Europe’s most explosive front lines, not to mention bolstering his reputation as an exemplary fit in Klopp’s setup.
His expected place on the bench serves as testament to the quality Tite is set to have at his disposal.