Roberto Firmino: The System
Roberto “Bobby” Firmino arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2015 after enduring an unsuccessful Copa America with Brazil, losing in the quarterfinals. Coming off a relatively successful tenure with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim where he scored 38 goals in 140 appearances, Roberto was seen as Brazilian talent who could assist Liverpool in their transitional period but a player who still needed to develop if he were to become successful in a club of Liverpool’s stature. Arriving towards the end of Brendan Roger’s reign as Liverpool manager, the first challenge for Firmino rose quickly as they struggled to find his best position. He played in the Bundesliga, primarily as an attacking midfielder who had the ability to create and score goals. He could also deputize as a forward or wide midfielder when necessary. However his career at Liverpool got off to a slow start as he struggled to combine with then-striker, Christian Benteke. He would play as a second striker but his lack of goals led to swift criticism and questioning of his ability. It was only when Jurgen Klopp arrived that we had the opportunity to witness the development of one of the best centre-forwards in the world.
Jurgen Klopp arrived in Liverpool having largely inherited a team that wasn’t suited to his methodology and style of play with a midfield and attacking group full of technical players such as Coutinho, Sturridge, Lallana and it looked for the most part that Firmino fell into this list. It seemed as though his technical ability and lack of physicality would hamper Klopp’s high-octane counter-pressing and wouldn’t be suited to a system of quick transitions. It was only when Klopp played him as the sole no.9 in January 2016 that we got a glimpse of what Firmino is capable of in Klopp’s system. Klopp started implementing a 4–3–3 formation with Firmino playing as a false 9 and that led to Bobby finishing with 10 goals in the Premier League as Liverpool’s top scorer. The subsequent seasons would see Klopp introduce players that fit the profile of his football such Georginio Wijnaldum, Joel Matip, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah and well they say the rest is history. In a period of six years, Liverpool have been restored to their former glory winning the 2018/19 Champions League and 2019/20 English Premier Season in one of the most dominant fashions with Bobby not being able to survive the period of transition but becoming arguably the most important integral part of Liverpool’s attacking identity. Let’s look at what makes him of the best no. 9’s in football today:
- Work Rate
The first and most important quality in Firmino’s game is his ability to lead the press and constantly work off-the-ball. Being the man who leads the front-line, Firmino is often tasked with initiating the press or cutting the passing lane between the centre-backs and midfielders. The intensity of his game is reflected in his 19.67 pressures per game which is 91% better than any forward in the Top 5 European leagues, with the highest successful pressures in Europe with an average of 6.32 per game. He also average the most blocks among forwards in Europe with 1.94 blocks per game. This is also compounded by 1.4 tackles that he averages per 90 which is better than 95% of forwards in Europe(Top 5). These stats may be seem irrelevant, especially for a striker but in the context of Liverpool’s counterpressing system, it gives insight as to why it is so successful. For example, of the 19.67 pressures that he averages, the majority is in the middle third meaning that Firmino does an excellent job of pressuring the ball carriers, thus disrupting the transition of the other team.
Here’s an example:
In this instance, Bobby(blue circle) is putting pressure on the ball carrier, Aaron Cresswell. He’s doing this in West Ham’s defensive third and Liverpool’s attacking third. This is an important detail and you’ll see why.
He’s then able to dispossess the ball from Cresswell and he now has two clear passing options. He was able to win the ball in Liverpool’s attacking third, immediately putting West Ham under pressure denying them the opportunity to defensively reorganize. This sequence of play ends with Bobby playing to Naby Keita(not in picture) who then has a shot out side of the box and scores. This all stemmed from Bobby being able to win the ball in the attacking third.
2. Movement and Space
Firmino’s 2021/22 season has gotten off to a flyer with his best game so far coming against Watford where he scored his 2nd hat-trick in Liverpool colours. More than the goals, that game was a movement and understanding of space masterclass from Bobby and displayed the qualities that make him of the best forwards in the world.
Here’s the sequence of his first goal:
Firmino drops deep to receive the ball from Henderson and plays a first time pass to James Milner. This movement disrupted the defensive line and created space for Liverpool’s wide men to exploit. Milier then plays it to Mane who’s then 1-on-1 with his defender
Mane progresses with the ball towards the goal while waiting for the supporting run for Milner in order to create space for him to cut. Firmino slows down his run, in case Mane cuts in so that he can potentially receive the ball at the edge of the box and shoot.
When Bobby notices Milner’s overlapping run, he realizes that he needs to run off-the-shoulder of the defender and into the 6-yard box area in case Milner gets the cutback and crosses it in. His run also creates space for Mane to drive directly to goal and have a shot.
Milner receives the pass from Mane and plays Firmino on the edge of the 6-yard box for the tap-in. His understanding of the space to occupy led to this goal.
Here’s another example:
Here, Bobby makes himself available for a direct pass from Mane but notice how he is able to identify a small pocket of space for receive the ball, turn and have a shot at goal which he eventually does and scores.
Firmino has a great understanding of where to position himself to receive in almost situations. It may be making himself a passing option for his defenders or arriving in the perfect moment to receive the final pass. He always finds a way to create space for himself in dangerous areas. It’s clearly reflected in his shot map where 9/12 shots are inside the box.
3. Technical Ability
This is perhaps the area where Roberto Firmino shines the most as his ability on the ball is 2nd to none. He ranks in the 98th percentile among forwards for passes completed per 90 with an average of 34.05. He also averages 4.27 progressive passes per 90 and 2.75 passes into the final third which is 98% and 96% better than other forwards, respectively. His passing and shooting technique as well as his brilliant 1st touch allow him to create/score goal scoring chances out of nowhere. Here are a few examples:
Bobby drops deep to receive the ball and immediately sees Sadio Mane’s run. Most may try to chip the ball over the defensive line and into the space but he somehow plays a through-ball on the ground that beats the 1st defender and finds itself at Mane’s feet for the 1st time finish. The technical difficulty of this pass can’t be overstated.
Here, Bobby makes himself available for a pass(movement) which duly receives from Wijnaldum.
He then turns the corner, going around McTominay in a beautiful half-turn.
That move immediately opened up a passing lane straight to Salah who’s running in between the lines and towards goal. There’s really only a small window to thread the ball through for Salah and the weight of the pass has to be perfect.
He delivers the pass perfectly, playing a ball that took the whole defensive line out the game while simultaneously putting Salah 1-on-1 with De Gea and well they say the rest is history. Once again, there’s no need for me to highlight the intricacy of the pass as it’s evident to see.
Bobby ,as he’s affectionately known around Anfield has many incredible qualities but his work rate, movement and understanding of space as well as his technical ability are the characteristics that distinguish him from the rest. Even so, statistics don’t do justice to the quality and importance of Firmino to the Liverpool team. While he may not be as prolific in front of goal as his peers, he dare I say, provides so much more. So if you ever the opportunity to watch any football, I recommend you to tune into a Liverpool game and watch the joy that is Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira.
Glossary
Pressures: Number of times applying pressure to opposing player who is receiving, carrying or releasing the ball
Progressive Passes: Completed passes that move the ball towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its furthest point in the last six passes, or any completed pass into the penalty area. Excludes passes from the defending 40% of the pitch
