Great Expectations – Roberto Firmino

Our series of summer articles focussing on those players we have high hopes for in the campaign ahead gets underway this morning with a look at Roberto Firmino.

Much was expected of the Brazilian after he arrived at Liverpool on the back of 23 goals and 21 assists in his final two seasons with Hoffenheim. Despite splashing out over £20m for his services, Brendan Rodgers handed Firmino just three starts in the opening eight fixtures before being replaced by Jurgen Klopp.

While the new boy took some time to get to grips with English football, his development under the tutelage of Klopp was particularly impressive.

Notching for the first time in a 4-1 demolition of Man City in Gameweek 13, Firmino ended the campaign with 10 goals and eight assists in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

Played in a number of different attacking roles under Klopp, Firmino emerged as a key player during the second half of the campaign and looks set to maintain that role as the German prepares for his first full season at the helm.

KEY FACTORS

• A total of 155 points from 31 appearances in his first season at Anfield represented a solid return from the Brazilian, who averaged 5.0 points per league outing. Delve a little deeper into the data under Klopp, though, and Firmino served up 5.8 points per game with the German on board – a tally only bettered by Riyad Mahrez (6.0) in the centre of the park last season.

• Firmino’s versatility is key to his appeal given Klopp’s willingness to switch formations during matches. In those thrilling away wins at Man City and Chelsea, he flourished in the “false nine” role, but with Divock Origi developing rapidly during the Europa League campaign and Daniel Sturridge back to full fitness, he may have to drop a little deeper. A central support berth looks the likeliest scenario at this point, though even if he’s stationed as a number ten, Firmino’s goal conversion rate of 15.9% – the fifth highest amongst midfielders with more than five goals – highlights his capabilities.

• Liverpool’s failure to qualify for Europe means that their Fantasy assets are far less likely to be prone to the rotation that blighted the final few months of their previous campaign. As we saw in 2013/14 with Rodgers’ Liverpool, and with Leicester last season, being able to concentrate solely on domestic matters can bring huge advantages. Klopp’s Gegenpressing tactics also rely on players to be fresh in order to carry out his game plan out of possession, so playing once a week for large parts of the season should enable the German to keep a settled starting XI – music to the ears of FPL bosses.

• A lack of summer football should work in Firmino’s favour. Whilst Philippe Coutinho was part of Brazil’s Copa America exploits, Firmino was omitted from the squad and will also skip the summer Olympics. At a time when many of the big-hitters have been on international duty, he’ll be fully refreshed and raring to go when the campaign gets underway.

• Given he ultimately ended last term in fifteenth place amongst midfielders – some 85 points behind Mahrez at the summit – it seems highly unlikely that Firmino will be elevated into the premium bracket next time around. Having started last term at 8.5, a move to 9.0 is perhaps on the cards, which may well prove excellent value for money if he can maintain that sort of form under Klopp.

• Liverpool’s opening schedule is hardly the most appealing, with a home clash against Burnley sandwiched in between trips to Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea and a visit from champions Leicester in the first five Gameweeks. Nonetheless, it’s worth bearing in mind that Firmino produced returns against three of the latter four opponents last season – failing to feature in either match against Spurs – and, having bagged two double-figure hauls against the likes of Man City, has the fixture-proof potential to get his campaign off to a strong start.