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Brazil legend Rivaldo believes Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will continue to play Roberto Firmino regularly in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. The Brazilian has seen his playing time reduced this season.
Many will argue that Firmino was integral to the Reds' revival as a club under Klopp. The Brazil international has helped the Anfield outfit win the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup so far.
However, the 30-year-old appears to have fallen down the pecking order following Diogo Jota's arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020. There have been more question marks around Firmino's future at Anfield since Liverpool signed Luis Diaz from FC Porto in January for a deal worth up to £50 million.
Rivaldo, though, feels Firmino should not consider leaving the Reds just yet. The former Barcelona forward is of the view that the Brazilian could be pivotal for Klopp's side in their Premier League title race and the Champions League. In his Betfair column, he wrote:
"Last week I advised Bobby Firmino to stay confident and avoid thinking about leaving Liverpool this summer since he continues to be a great player who only needs to be persistent in proving his quality to be a regular starter. And he did that last Wednesday, coming off the bench in the second-half against Arsenal to score Liverpool's second goal and almost seal their [2-0] win."
"I have no doubts that Jurgen Klopp continues to love his qualities as a player and will keep utilizing him regularly. Firmino could play a pivotal role in Liverpool's title battle with Man City in [the] Premier League as well as in the Champions League."
The Brazilian joined Liverpool in 2015, the same year Klopp joined the Reds, and has been an integral part of the attacking setup since. He has been a part of a mammoth 318 games across competitions for the club, scoring 96 goals and giving 73 assists.
Firmino has scored nine goals and provided four assists from 26 appearances across all competitions for the Merseyside-based club this season.
Liverpool just one point behind Manchester City in Premier League
Manchester City enjoyed a 14-point lead over the Reds in the Premier League at one point in January. However, Jurgen Klopp's side have now reduced the gap with the Citizens to just one point.
With just nine more matches left to be played, we have a neck-to-neck title race on our hands. The two English clubs also remain in the mix for the UEFA Champions League this season.
The Anfield outfit are scheduled to face Portuguese giants Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals. Manchester City, on the other hand, have been pitted against Atletico Madrid. The first leg of both matches will be played on April 6 and the second one on April 14.
Both teams will lock horns against each other in a virtual title decider in the league on April 10. They will also face each other in the FA Cup semi-finals on April 16.
