‘Surprised’: Pundit thought Gerrard & Villa should have tried to sign Liverpool player with ‘so much ability’

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Tony Cascarino was surprised that Aston Villa didn’t try to sign Roberto Firmino in the transfer window. Liverpool have an ‘incredible’ star.

Roberto Firmino is currently correcting some doubters. Many thought his days as an elite player were done after some poor form and Darwin Nunez’s arrival this summer. The Brazilian only has one year remaining on his contract, after all.

And it should be said, Firmino was not good against Manchester United. Or Fulham, for that matter. He failed to get involved in the right areas and his touch just seemed off.

That certainly wasn’t the case against Bournemouth, however. Firmino was magnificent, scoring twice and assisting another three. His overall game was just remarkable.

That had Tony Cascarino raving about the Liverpool star on talkSPORT earlier today. He felt Firmino showed everyone how good he still is.

“Firmino looked as good as all Liverpool fans know he can be because he’s an incredible talent,” he said. “When his vision is on, his passing is on, his movement – he’s just got so much ability.

“He’s such a legend for the club and I was watching him yesterday and thinking ‘you’re apparently past it now'”.

Roberto Firmino in the transfer window

Cascarino was also surprised that Firmino is still with Liverpool, though. He felt that more teams should have tried to get him away from the club – including Aston Villa.

“I was surprised Aston Villa never bought him or went for him at the start of the season,” said Cascarino. “I thought ‘I wonder if [Steven] Gerrard is going to go for him’. When he got [Philippe] Coutinho, I was thinking ‘Firmino is the one to go for'”.

Now, we can’t help but feel that Cascarino has overestimated how likely it was that Firmino would leave. We never felt the chances were likely – a year of Firmino and all he brings was worth more than any potential fee.

Liverpool quite clearly saw things that way, too. Firmino stayed, Villa never had a real chance and we’re sure this Bournemouth display was only the first. The Brazilian looks set for a big season.