‘He’s Lost That Sharpness’- Aldridge Asks For Misfiring Firmino To Be Rested

Firmino has been a key part of the Liverpool set up since Jurgen Klopp to charge in October 2015.

The former Hoffenheim forward has formed a fearsome attacking trident with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, helping Liverpool win the Champions League last year and their first top flight title in three decades last season.

Firmino has however found goalscoring a bit difficult of late, registering just three goals in his last 28 appearances across all competitions.

The 29-year-old Brazilian has scored once in the Premier League this season, but the impressive form of Diogo Jota, who has already struck four times since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, could see Firmino’s place come under threat.

Aldridge is adamant Firmino should be taking out of the firing line for some time to help him get back to his best.

The former Reds striker told the Liverpool Echo: “I am still a big Bobby Firmino fan, I love him as a player and what he brings to the side, but things are not good with him and haven’t been for some time now.

“He’s dipped well below his best for the last year or so and maybe he does need a rest. He certainly needs something because at the moment we’re not seeing the player who has played such a key role in the rise under Jurgen Klopp.

“He’s blunt, he’s lost that sharpness and he’s not getting in the box enough.

“He will know and the manager will know - I do myself as a centre forward - that it’s just not happening for him at the moment.

“He seems to be doing all his work in areas where it’s not hurting defenders and needs to be causing them problems in and around the box.

“I do still think we need him because he’s a fantastic player but the manager has got to find a way to get him ticking again in the way he was a couple of years ago.”