Roberto Firmino, commonly known as Bobby Firmino, is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for the Brazilian national team. He is widely considered to be one of the best false 9s in the world, and perhaps even the best ever to have played the position. He is out of contract with Liverpool this summer.
The False 9 position is a tactical innovation that was popularized by Barcelona and their former manager, Pep Guardiola. The False 9 is basically a central attacking midfielder who operates as a false striker, dropping deep to link up play with teammates and create space for other attackers to exploit. The position requires a unique set of skills, including excellent technical ability, vision, creativity, and the ability to score goals.
Firmino has all of these qualities in abundance, and his performances for Liverpool have been nothing short of outstanding. He joined the club in 2015 from German side Hoffenheim, and it didn’t take long for him to establish himself as a key player under manager Jurgen Klopp. Firmino’s ability to drop deep and link up play with his teammates was a perfect fit for Klopp’s high-pressing, counter-attacking style of play.
Firmino’s technical ability is one of his greatest strengths. He is an excellent dribbler, with the ability to beat defenders with ease. His first touch is exceptional, which allows him to control the ball in tight spaces and turn away from defenders. He is also a superb passer of the ball, with an eye for a killer through-ball or a clever flick to set up a teammate.
However, Firmino is not just a provider for his teammates.
He is also a prolific scorer in his own right, with an impressive goal-scoring record for Liverpool. He has scored over 100 goals for the club in all competitions, including some crucial goals in big games. His ability to score goals from a variety of positions and situations makes him a nightmare for opposition defenders.
What sets Firmino apart from other false 9s is his work rate and defensive contribution. He is a tireless worker, constantly pressing and harrying opposing defenders to win the ball back for his team. He is also adept at dropping back to help out in defence, making crucial tackles and interceptions to break up opposition attacks.
In conclusion, Roberto Firmino is undoubtedly one of the best false 9s in the world, and perhaps even the best ever to have played the position. His technical ability, vision, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess make him a nightmare for opposition defenders, while his work rate and defensive contribution make him an invaluable asset to his team. Firmino is a true modern-day forward, equally comfortable dropping deep to create opportunities for his teammates or leading the line and scoring goals himself.
