Liverpool have £72,000/week solution after Roberto Firmino injury

Liverpool can turn to Takumi Minamino for inspiration after Roberto Firmino picked up an injury against Chelsea.

The Brazilian was substituted before half-time and I initially thought he was being replaced by Diogo Jota because he was shocking in the opening 42 minutes of the game.

However, the forward has picked up a hamstring injury and Jurgen Klopp must now trust Takumi Minamino to be the player he was expected to be when he first arrived.

Covid and a lack of game time have negatively impacted on the Japanese playmaker's Liverpool career but he could now get an opportunity to feature more heavily.

Firmino's absence further exacerbated Liverpool's lack of depth in attack but if Minamino can shine in the next month with a couple of goals from the bench, Klopp will be delighted.

Liverpool decided against allowing him to join Southampton on loan and while that might have been a poor decision for the player as it means less game time, it has paid off as they already need to call on him.

The Reds' next game is against Leeds United and it's possible that Minamino will feature from the bench to allow one of the front three to rest before the midweek Champions League clash against AC Milan.

Klopp could even decide to start Minamino but after dropping two points against Chelsea, it's highly unlikely that will happen especially against a side as tricky as Leeds.

The Japanese forward, who reportedly earns £75,000/week, needs to step up otherwise there may well be serious doubts cast over his ability to succeed at Anfield.

He won't get a much better chance to shine for Liverpool than in the next few weeks and if he takes his chance, he could force his way into future games ahead of both Firmino and Jota.