Liverpool’s Brazilian star, Roberto Firmino says he is not involved in any “personal battle” with the club’s Portuguese forward, Diogo Jota for a striker’s spot at the Premier League champions.
Jota has been outstanding since he completed his summer move from another Premier League club, Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported initial fee of £41million.
The goal scoring form of the Portuguese which includes a hattrick against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League has led to calls from some quarters for Firmino to be dropped.
Firmino however says he is relaxed about the current situation and does not have a strained relationship with the 23-year-old Jota who has scored three goals in six appearances in the Premier League and a further four in three Champions League games.
Jota has made two fewer appearances in the league than Firmino this season, Jota has attempted as many shots (13) as the Brazil international, who has scored just once.
That gives Jota a shot conversion rate of 27.3 per cent, far higher than Firmino’s 14.3, while he also boasts a better conversion percentage when it comes to big chances (67 per cent compared to 50 per cent).
Such an impact has placed Firmino’s position in the first XI under threat, but he insists he is not simply competing with the new signing for minutes on the pitch.
“Liverpool have a great squad of players, so earning a starting position here is not easy at all, and I am used to that,” Firmino said ahead of Sunday’s game with Leicester City, according to the Mirror.
“Diogo is an excellent footballer and another companion in the squad. We all work hard during the week and then the coach decides who comes out. So, I don’t have any personal battle with him.”
Firmino has become a mainstay in Klopp’s plans thanks in part to his more selfless work alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Indeed, the former Hoffenheim forward has created nine chances in the league this season – seven more than Jota – and has two assists, the most of any of the Reds’ attackers in 2020-21.
Firmino thinks Liverpool’s overall attacking strength gives them a forward line to match that of any team in the world.
“Liverpool’s attack line is spectacular, and I would say comparable to any in the world, in any of the major leagues,” he said. “Now this year I see it as being even better. And it’s not emotion that makes me say this, but simply a result of looking at the statistics.
“As for me, I work hard in training – and then on the field, I do what Jurgen Klopp tells me. That is my working philosophy, always.”
