Football writer James Pearce has suggested that the one ‘positive’ from Roberto Firmino’s injury is that he could be back before Christmas.
While speaking in a press conference ahead of his side’s trip to West Ham United, Jurgen Klopp told the Liverpool Echo: “Bobby is not good news with a serious hamstring injury, really unfortunate.”
Although no official return date has been given, the tone of the comments make it clear that the Brazilian will be out for some time. With attacking stars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane set to miss out on a number of games in January due to the Africa Cup of Nations, some fans may be sweating over the condition of Firmino.
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However, while speaking on The Red Agenda podcast, Pearce claimed that the 30-year-old should ‘hopefully’ be ‘fit and fresh’ for that period.
He explained his thoughts, saying: “For the scan to show that it was a significant injury is tough to take, especially when you look at the fixture list coming up after the international break and just how many games there are.
“I suppose if you’re scrambling around for some positive, it would be, at least hopefully, you’d have Firmino back fit and fresh just before Christmas, when you’re obviously then facing the prospect of losing Mane and Salah to the Africa Cup of Nations for a month.”
TIF Thoughts on Roberto Firmino and Liverpool…
Before his recent injury, Firmino had been a key player in the Liverpool team this season, playing 11 games and scoring six goals across the Premier League and in Europe.
When you consider all the trophies he has won with the club in recent years, there is no denying the quality he brings to the team.
And if Salah and Mane end up missing a fair few games during the new year due to their international commitments, the Reds could really be in trouble.
Between the three players, they have scored 29 goals in all competitions this season. With that in mind, Klopp will surely have his fingers crossed with the hope that Firmino is fit sooner rather than later.
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