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Liverpool's Roberto Firmino might not be the most prolific strikers around but he doesn't even need to be that in his own team. Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah usually lead the charge when it comes to goalscoring and Firmino is content to play the role of the composer behind those two.
Firmino is a hard-working forward and he is crucial to Klopp's gegenpressing system. The Brazilian is not only good in attack but he is also great at recovering possession and providing cover for the midfield.
For these reasons, Roberto Firmino is a striker quite unlike the rest. As such, Liverpool will find it difficult to replace the Brazilian if/when push comes to shove. On that note, let's take a look at 5 players who can replace Roberto Firmino at Liverpool.
#5 Takumi Minamino
Liverpool activated Minamino's €7.5 million release clause and signed the 25-year-old from Salzburg last December. Minamino has enough experience at his former club playing behind two strikers as a creative no.10. Hence, the 25-year-old is very similar to Roberto Firmino.
Liverpool's 4-4-2 formation often shifts to a 4-3-1-2 with Firmino dropping between the lines and helping find space for Mane and Salah ahead of him. Minamino used to do the same at Salzburg with Erling Haaland and Chan making runs in front of him.
Minamino is yet to settle down at Liverpool but once he is well-versed with Jurgen Klopp's tactics, he could go on to be as menacing as Firmino.
#4 Federico Chiesa
The Fiorentina forward's ability to play anywhere in the frontline, though he mostly prefers the role of the centre-forward, makes him a great choice as a long-term replacement for Firmino.
Chiesa is more in the mould of an out-and-out striker than Firmino. He is good with the ball at his feet and is an excellent finisher and as such, he will be an upgrade on Firmino in the finishing department but a downgrade in the creative one.
However, at 22-years-old, he has his entire career ahead of him and under Klopp's guidance, he could fully realize his potential. Fiorentina are also open to the idea of selling their star forward as long as they get good money for him.
#3 Duvan Zapata
Duvan Zapata is the anti-thesis to Roberto Firmino in the traditional sense. However, the Atalanta baller is not alien to pressing defenders high up the pitch and being an absolute menace in the final third, thanks to his towering frame and physicality.
Atalanta are as good at breaking on the counter as they are at counter-pressing which will excite Jurgen Klopp as he wouldn't need to sit Zapata dow, get him up to speed and expect him to take his sweet time to find his feet at Anfield.
Zapata's output this season has been incredible. The 29-year-old has scored 18 goals and racked up 6 assists from 28 appearances in the Serie A and has been one of the driving factors behind Atalanta's top 3 finish.
#2 Marcus Thuram
Marcus Thuram, the son of French World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, was bought by Borussia Monchengladbach as a replacement for Thorgan Hazard who joined Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2019.
The forward would fit right in at Liverpool thanks to his versatility which allows him to slot in anywhere in the frontline. Thuram is deployed either down the left flank from where he loves to cut in and shoot with his favoured right foot or as a second striker at Borussia Monchengladbach.
The 22-year-old is good at scoring goals just as he is at creating them. Thuram's positional awareness and pace has often helped his team counter attack at lightning quick pace and he will do just great in the Premier League. His acceleration and ability to pop up in the right place could potentially transform Liverpool's attack as well.
#1 Paulo Dybalaa
Roberto Firmino has not had the best season this time around. The Brazilian only scored 9 goals and set up 8 in the Premier League this term. A player who would most definitely be an instant upgrade on Firmino is Paulo Dybala.
Paulo Dybala came close to be sold last season with both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur ready to break the bank to sign him. However, the Argentine ended up staying and proved his worth to Juventus by being one of their standout performers this season.
Dybala scored 11 goals and set up a further 6 from 28 appearances in the Serie A. He has 17 goals and 8 assists across all competitions and is a great set-piece taker as well.
Dybala is excellent with the ball at his feet, his deft touches enabling him to negotiate tight spaces with ease. He is a great passer of the ball and could combine brilliantly with Mane and Salah who pack a lot of flair as well.
Dybala is one of the best attackers of his generation and having proved that once again this season, he is unlikely to be let go for cheap by Juventus. In fact, the Bianconeri might no longer want to part with him.
