2 years ago
599 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has conducted his pre-match press conference ahead of the game with Crystal Palace.
The Reds embark on their first home game of the Premier League season on Monday night having drawn at Fulham last time out.
Despite having signed a new centre-forward in the shape of Darwin Nunez this summer, Klopp started Roberto Firmino through the middle at Craven Cottage.
Speaking to the media, Klopp admitted that Firmino did not play very well in that game, but said he retains faith in the Brazilian.
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Klopp speaks at press conference before Palace clash
Klopp said: “He is very important. Bobby.
“If you take our last game we didn’t find him properly for different reasons. We analysed it, the centre was very often blocked.
“He didn’t play well and we found it difficult to get him into game. But we don’t judge him on one game.
“He had a good pre-season and will benefit from that during the season. 200 starts in PL is not bad, most of them with me.
Since Klopp came in, £29 million (BBC) man Firmino has largely been central to Liverpool’s attacking plans but last season, things changed.
Luis Diaz came in during the January window, and Klopp moved Sadio Mane inside and dropped Firmino to the bench for some games.
Now Nunez has come in and got a goal and assist off the bench against Fulham, which puts even more pressure on Firmino this term.
But he is still a great player for Liverpool to have in their squad, even though the smart money would say Darwin would take Firmino’s starting spot sooner rather than later.
The post 'He didn't play well': Jurgen Klopp admits £29m Liverpool player was not very good against Fulham last weekend appeared first on The Boot Room.
