‘Doesn’t work out’: Merson says Liverpool are nowhere near as good when £29m attacker doesn’t start

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Paul Merson is now convinced that Liverpool need Roberto Firmino in order to make their 4-4-2 work. The Brazilian was incredible this week.

Roberto Firmino put on a show against Rangers last night as he ran the game for Liverpool. The Scots took a 1-0 lead at Ibrox but the Brazilian hit back with two goals that got the Reds in front.

But he wasn’t done there. Firmino produced an outrageous assist for Darwin Nunez to score a third before leaving the pitch. Mohamed Salah took it from there.

This is merely the latest in a string of fantastic performances, too. Firmino has five goals and an assist in his last three starts – none of which lasted beyond 75 minutes. It feels as though Liverpool are reliant on the 31-year-old and his eight goals and four assists this season certainly suggest that.

Paul Merson feels it goes even further than that, though. He thinks Liverpool’s new 4-4-2 system – which frequently becomes a 4-2-4 with four forwards – depends on Firmino just to work.

“If Firmino plays a slightly withdrawn role, Liverpool can play all four of their forwards,” he tells Sportskeeda. “They had too many people up front against Arsenal, and someone needs to help out in midfield.

“When Firmino doesn’t start, four forwards in a line-up doesn’t work out very well for Liverpool.”

Roberto Firmino in the 4-4-2

Merson has a point. Liverpool are certainly lively with two out-and-out strikers up top but Firmino adds balance that no one else can. After all, he’s been playing as a False 9 for years – for most of his time at the club since arriving for £29m in 2015.

That means he can effortlessly drop and play more of a no.10 role, while also having the ability to get in the box to threaten himself. There really aren’t many players on the planet who can do that.

Firmino’s form certainly suggests this is the case. He’s doing everything right now and the freedom he has in the 4-4-2 brings the best out of him. It feels as though he’s a certainty to start against Manchester City on Sunday.