John Aldridge admits Roberto Firmino‘s poor form has become an issue for Liverpool.

The Brazilian has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks, following a string of ineffective performances.

Firmino has only managed one Reds goal so far this season – a tap-in against Sheffield United – and there are calls for Diogo Jota or Takumi Minamino to take his place.

Liverpool have a big week ahead of them, with tough matches away to Atalanta and Manchester City imminent, so Jurgen Klopp has a key decision to make.

Writing for the Liverpool Echo, Aldridge bemoaned Firmino’s drop-off, but he still has faith in the Brazilian returning to his best:

I am still a big Bobby Firmino fan, I love him as a player and what he brings to the side, but things are not good with him and haven’t been for some time now.

He’s dipped well below his best for the last year or so and maybe he does need a rest. He certainly needs something because at the moment we’re not seeing the player who has played such a key role in the rise under Jurgen Klopp.

He’s blunt, he’s lost that sharpness and he’s not getting in the box enough.

He will know and the manager will know – I do myself as a centre forward – that it’s just not happening for him at the moment.

He seems to be doing all his work in areas where it’s not hurting defenders and needs to be causing them problems in and around the box.

I do still think we need him because he’s a fantastic player but the manager has got to find a way to get him ticking again in the way he was a couple of years ago.

Read Liverpool Verdict

Firmino has been a wonderful player for Liverpool, leading the line in his own unique way and getting the very best out of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

It is hard to deny that he has been far from his best throughout 2020, however, with just five goals scored since the turn of the year. He feels like a weak link currently, which would previously have been unthinkable.

Klopp knows how important Firmino is to him, so it will take a heavy heart to drop him, but he must be considering it at this point.

Not only is the Brazilian failing to spark, but Jota is the complete opposite, already scoring four times in his first nine appearances for Liverpool.

Should Jota start over Firmino currently?

Yes

No