Roberto Firmino: The Merseyside shape-shifter
Shape-shifting, the ability to physically transform through a superhuman ability, sorcery or mutation. It’s quite cool in mythology and games when your character has that ability. The limitless things you can do with it, the mind can only imagine.
So are there shape-shifters among us ? We wouldn’t know as they would probably be shifting their shapes from one form to another. But what about that Brazilian guy ? They say he’s got the ability to do it.
Born in Maceió, Alagoas, where the prophecy says that when the stars align a special kid from that city will have the ability to change shape seamlessly.
Roberto Firmino is the name of that guy.
Liverpool 4–0 Southampton: The Overloader
A tough first half for Liverpool doesn’t reflect in the result of the game. Southampton’s pressing game forced Liverpool’s defence into multiple errors in addition to Ryan Bertrand’s infield crosses for Shane Long and Danny Ings.
At right back for Southampton was James Ward-Prowse, filling in after Cedric Soares moved to Arsenal. The midfielder was well positioned throughout the first half, controlling Andy Robertson whilst also moving inside to cover for the rest of the defence.
Sadio Mane’s injury meant that Liverpool lacked the runs in behind which in return frees Robertson wide. That’s until Firmino started making these runs and overloading the left side.
The shape looked like a mix of things, a 4–3–3, a diamond and an asymmetrical 4–4–2 — especially after Liverpool were 2–0 up. However, what is more important than the shape was the idea. Firmino overloaded the left side to help Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
After Robertson manages to find him in the left channel behind Southampton’s midfield, Firmino’s presence attracts Ward-Prowse allowing Robertson to gallop forward. Initially, Oriol Romeu was marking Chamberlain meaning that he was far from Firmino
This frees Robertson as Nathan Redmond switches off and Ward-Prowse who was usually covering these runs throughout the first half was moved out of position because of Firmino’s overload.
Another attack shows Firmino positioned between Ward-Prowse and Jack Stephens. With Chamberlain far behind, this pins Ward-Prowse freeing Robertson completely on the wing.
Mohamed Salah opts to play Firmino through, the idea of the pass was excellent but the execution failed the Egyptian. Firmino’s positioning here gave him the opportunity to attack the space behind Ward-Prowse while also pinning Ward-Prowse to free Robertson.
The overload came late in the first half with no effectiveness. It was in the second half however that it came to life. The overload here draws attention away from Chamberlain and Firmino’s flick finds the midfielder.
With acres of space because of Firmino’s overload, Chamberlain now has time and space to adjust himself for a shot on goal. Chamberlain doesn’t disappoint and his low driven shot goes past Alex McCarthy to open the scoring for Liverpool.
Prior to Liverpool’s second goal, Firmino (top right of the screen below) was attacking the space behind Ward-Prowse, overloading that side as Chamberlain was deeper.
Fabinho’s ball was too far for Jordan Henderson, falling easily for the Southmapton defence. Alex McCarthy hoofed it forward, then Joe Gomez won the aerial duel and headed it down near Trent Alexander-Arnold. The creative right-back instinctively cleared it towards the area on the far left where Firmino resides.
The positioning of Firmino on the left causing issues for Ward-Prowse paid off again. He controlled Arnold’s ball smoothly and moved towards the box as Henderson who was earlier attacking the center was in a good position to support.
Henderson who was returning from an offside position offered a good cut-back option for Firmino, and the Brazilian rarely disappoints in these situations. Henderson then managed to put it past McCarthy to technically kill the game as Liverpool doubled their lead.
The aerial view shows the overload perfectly towards the far side. As Arnold’s striking the ball, Firmino and Chamberlain are sandwiching Ward-Prowse. Creating an overload on the left side.
Tottenham 0–1 Liverpool: The Creator
Against a compact Mourinho side who set up to nullify Liverpool, Firmino shape-shifted into his usual role of a False 9. Dropping between the lines as Salah and Mane occupied the center. His role was to link and create between Spurs’ midfield and defence.
Firmino’s camouflage as a number 10 drags Harry Winks with him, freeing space for Salah. He then leaves Robertson’s ball for Salah and makes a run behind Winks in between Serge Aurier and Japhet Tanganga. Presenting Salah with a passing option.
All that while vacating space centrally which was occupied by Mane.
Firmino then crosses for Mane, whose shot misses the target. In this attack Firmino linked play, created space and assisted all with a single instance of holding the ball. His movement orchestrated the attack. Dragging Winks out of position, running in behind to present a passing option and emptying the central space for Mane to occupy.
Earlier in the game, Firmino dropped untracked to create again trying to play Robertson through. Meanwhile, Mane was central to occupy the forward position.
The pass was intercepted by Aurier but Gini Wijnaldum managed to retrieve it. Like a thorn between Spurs’ defence and midfield, no one knew how to touch Firmino. Again he received comfortably and squeezed a ball to Mane taking out the whole of Spurs’ midfield.
Mane then controlled the ball towards the edge of the penalty box, as Salah moved inside to occupy the central position. The central position which is originally Firmino’s but the Brazilian drops to link play, create and free space for others — mainly Mane and Salah — to occupy.
Another example in the second half shows Firmino dropping to present himself as a passing option with the Spurs’ defence reluctant to advance in fear of harming their horizontal compactness. As that is happening the Spurs midfield are busy with Liverpool’s build up.
Arnold’s pass finds Firmino which forces Davinson Sanchez to go out, leaving a hole in Tottenham’s defensive line. Space which Salah will occupy
Firmino, aware of Sanchez quickly plays the ball back for Henderson who immediately plays it into the space that Sanchez left. The quickness of the move gives an indication that it’s something that has been worked on before.
The attack commences and a late Fimrino appears inside the box. He would have started and rounded an excellent move if not for Sanchez’s late tackle to save the day.
Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United: The Phantom
A change in order in terms of who occupies Firmino’s vacated space happened against Manchester United. This time it was Wijnaldum and Chamberlain. United defenders didn’t know whether to stay in position or follow Firmino, the latter meaning that the late runs from midfield from Wijnaldum and Chamberlain were unnoticed.
Firmino’s movement here dismantles the United defence especially Harry Maguire who doesn’t anticipate Chamberlain’s run behind him. Runs that in theory should be made by Salah and Mane but United’s man-marking back three tracked them.
Maguire then runs back to mark Chamberlain but the trick is on him because in a role-reversal, Firmino is now the late runner from midfield.
Just like against Spurs, only a better finish would have completed the masterpiece. Firmino didn’t manage to score but this move would cause United problems throughout the game.
It was Wijnaldum’s time after that. Firmino’s movement into midfield creates a whole in United’s defence and Wijnaldum was ready to pounce. All that while Salah and Mane are pinning the other defenders.
Before Chamberlain receives Firmino’s pass, he’s aware of Wijnaldum’s run and plays a one touch pass into the Dutchman.
Wijnaldum managed to put it past David De Gea. However, he was flagged offside.
Firmino also managed to free Wijnaldum and Chamberlain in midfield as when he dropped deep Fred and Matic pressed him, leaving space for Wijnaldum and Chamberlain to exploit.
In this instance, Firmino combines with Henderson to start a counter-attack through Wijnaldum who is free because Fred was pressing Firmino.
Wijnaldum powers through and then nutmegs Maguire who is way out of position trying to stop Liverpool’s counter-attack. Firmino who started the offensive transition would later present himself as a late runner in the box.
Chamberlain and Wijnaldum’s dynamism also helped Firmino. Here, Chamberlain attracts Matic with a run leaving Fred in a 2 v 1 against Firmino and Wijnaldum.
Once Fred goes for the Firmino option this leaves Wijnaldum completely free. Keeping in mind that Manchester United’s back five were set up to nullify Liverpool’s full backs and front line.
This can be seen more here where Wijnaldum is completely free and Firmino who is on the ball can find him with a pass.
Firmino provides Liverpool with tactical flexibility by playing multiple roles in one. His evolution from a wide forward at TSG Hoffenheim to a complete all rounder at Liverpool further proves his ability as a top-level footballer. He might not win any goal-scoring competition, but his presence wins you much more important prizes.
On the team sheet you see Roberto Firmino but on the field it can be Firmino, Firmino, or Firmino. You wouldn’t know which one is going to pop up.
