‘The record he has’: Carragher was surprised that Jurgen Klopp left out one Liverpool player today

Add as preferred source on Google

Jamie Carragher admitted he was surprised that Roberto Firmino didn’t start for Liverpool vs Manchester City on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp certainly faced a difficult task in picking his starting XI for Liverpool against Manchester City. In particular, he somehow had to choose a front three.

He went with Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mané in the end – and it’s hard to disagree with him. We predicted the trio would start and they delivered in a 2-2 draw.

Jota found space to score Liverpool’s first equaliser, while Salah and Mané combined for the second. Two great goals from some of the game’s most prolific forwards.

But it did mean there was no room for either Luis Diaz or Roberto Firmino. Both came off the bench in an incredible display of squad depth, though.

The decision not to start Firmino surprised Jamie Carragher, however. He felt the Brazilian’s record against City may have earned him a place.

Roberto Firmino on the bench for Liverpool vs Manchester City

“I thought [Firmino] would be involved because of the record he has against Manchester City,” Carragher told Sky Sports before the game. “And also the fact that he could help back with Rodri in that position.

“But he’s gone with the front three who’ve possibly played the most of late.”

We completely see where Carragher is coming from and the Jota-or-Firmino debate was the big one before the game. Jota’s goal essentially proves Klopp right in the end up Liverpool certainly lack a bit of playmaking without Firmino in the XI.

It didn’t exactly cost them at the Etihad, though, and we can come away from it feeling like there’s been a real change at Liverpool. The famed front-three really is no more and Firmino has some work to do in order to get back into the best XI.

And with his contract expiring in 2023, combined with Jota’s incredible form, you’ve got to wonder if it’s even possible.