Jurgen Klopp was surprised by what he saw Roberto Firmino do in Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest. The Reds ran out 1-0 winners.
Liverpool won 1-0 vs Nottingham Forest on Sunday and the game was about as simple as it sounds. Jurgen Klopp’s team pushed their luck here, squeezing into the semi-finals with a Diogo Jota goal that was just barely onside.
That winner came just 90 seconds after a golden opportunity for Forest, too. This one really could have gone another way but the Reds did enough.
Fortunately, they won’t be looking back with too much worry over an equally-golden opportunity for themselves in the first half. Roberto Firmino ran clear through for Liverpool but dallied on the ball before trying to chip the goalkeeper. He didn’t get the right height, nor the right direction and the chance was wasted.
Jota had actually been through just to his left, making Firmino’s decision even worse. After the game, Klopp admitted he was surprised by the no.9’s choice.
“We should score the sitter,” he told ITV. “Bobby – that’s really unlike him that he doesn’t square the ball. I think Diogo was in a good position. That would have helped, obviously.”
Roberto Firmino for Liverpool
Firmino was actually very sharp today but that one moment soured what was a fantastic first-half display from him at times. He was pulling off dummies, flicks, and picking the ball up in good areas consistently.
And at the end of the day, those are the things Firmino is supposed to deliver in attack. It’s his movement, creativity and build-up play – rather than his goals – that make him an elite forward.
His finishing has actually been pretty great this season, too – just no on this occasion. And with massive games coming every week for the rest of the season, Firmino can’t afford to make the wrong decision next time. We’re sure he won’t.
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