At Bramall Lane, as Liverpool finally ended an incongruous four-game Premier League losing streak, we saw all the faces of Robert Firmino, as he disappointed, dazzled and decided in the space of 90 minutes.
What he thought was his second league goal since mid-December to give Liverpool an unassailable 2-0 lead in South Yorkshire was later awarded as an own goal, but his samba feet to work space for the shot means, psychologically, the goal is his.
But such a telling contribution came after the type of glaring misses that have frustrated Liverpool fans keen for their fleet-footed No 9 to kick on the goalscoring charts for two seasons.
He could and should have had a hat-trick. In the end, Firmino heads back to Merseyside on just six Premier League strikes in 2020-21, but just to make a telling contribution in the final third, after recent profligacy and a severe bout of ineffectiveness, will do his confidence a world of good.
Chris Wilder’s programme notes were all the warning his players needed. It was a refreshing to read, clearly written by the man himself, rather than a sanitised club version. Wilder started by declaring he didn’t want to go into VAR, only to then spend half of his column ranting about it, the vocabulary was a “mug off” level throughout, while the words were penned with real feeling.
The message for his fans watching from afar was clear: His side must be wary of their limitations against top sides, with their best hope of getting a result taking their chances when they come.
Even Wilder could not have hoped for that moment to come so quickly at Bramall Lane as Oliver Norwood crossed for David McGoldrick, six yards out, but he headed straight at Adrian, standing in for Alisson after the tragic passing of the Brazilian’s father this week.
And that was really as good as it got for the Blades with Aaron Ramsdale doing his best Dean Henderson impression to keep the visitors at bay down the other end.
Two chances in particular, from that Liverpool No 9 in desperate need of a goal, should not have given Ramsdale a chance. Firstly, Firmino bundled his way through, Ramsdale was already on his way down before the forward hit it, but rather than look up to spot the open half of the net, Firmino remained head down and fired too close to the goalkeeper.
Three minutes after a disastrous-looking goal for Sheffield United was ruled out, Ramsdale did brilliantly to beat Gini Wijnaldum’s shot out, but only as far as Firmino. Even in that moment, you never felt convinced he was going to score and, such is the lack of belief within himself, Firmino elected to square the ball across, which he misplaced.
Then came that moment that could have gone either way, that can make or break a season. Trent Alexander-Arnold got to the byline before hooking the ball back for Jones to give Liverpool the lead in the 48th minute.
The Blades were incredulous. They thought the ball had crossed the line before Alexander-Arnold got there. VAR took another look, with one angle looking like it had crossed, and another appearing to show not all the ball had gone out. The VAR in Stockley Park, Andrew Madley, was the puppeteer, with Liverpool’s season in his hands. The referee was turned to point towards the centre spot – goal.
For Firmino, this match that became a microcosm of his last two seasons was not done, as his brilliant skill created space for the shot that Bryan deflected home.
Jurgen Klopp threw two fists up to the sky and shouted “Bobby” knowing just how important that moment that could prove to be.
“He had a goal, who cares if is not given to him,” Klopp said after the game. “For him it counts, if it’s not in the stats, I don’t care. This game was about us showing we’re still there.”
Even during Liverpool’s worst run of league defeats since 2002, Mohamed Salah’s form has not dipped. Before the trip to Sheffield, Salah had scored seven goals in his last eight appearances in all competitions to remain the top Premier League goalscoring charts.
Firmino cannot even dream of such a record, but he knows that with Diogo Jota on the way back, he at least needs to start to make a difference.
To steer Liverpool to a top-four finish Salah will need help. Firmino’s goal return between now and May could be the difference between Champions League football and Thursday nights in the far reaches of Europe next season.
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