26 Jul 2017 19:36:57
Has Firmino played attacking mid?
26 Jul 2017 20:12:44
Yes. At Hoffenheim it was his main position. He played behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation. He could very easily do it again here but he struggled in attacking midfield when he first came to England. He didn't really start to shine until he was put up front by Klopp. I think he struggles to find space in between the midfield and defence in the high tempo English game. You only need to look at his new number to see what position he is playing next season. He is our first choice striker for the next 12 months at least.
26 Jul 2017 20:23:59
I don't think you can go by his number, you put a striker who plays off the should of the last man and he would be a good attacking mid. The first half of the first season was played out wide, where struggled. I'd say he's best just between the lines, not struggles.
26 Jul 2017 20:52:14
He never played as an attacking midfielder for us MK Scouser, Rodgers bizzarely used him on the left of midfield until Klopp came in and utilised him as a proxy False Nine.
26 Jul 2017 20:59:44
I agree in theory Fencey. All of his main skills point towards attacking midfielder. I am only going off his performances when he first came in though and he was poor there. However, it is very easy to argue that he was still trying to adapt to a new team, league, language, and country. So his struggled may not have been his position at all.
I know the number isn't a guarantee, but for me Firmino asking for the number 9 is a clear indication of where he sees his best position.
26 Jul 2017 23:38:51
Agreed, tsteen. Firmin0 never played AM - Rodgers played him out wide, where his talents were wasted and his short-comings (such as a lack of pace) were exposed.
Sad days they were.
27 Jul 2017 00:29:26
Klopp had played him out wide when Coutinho and Mane were both out the side. Its not his best position admittedly.