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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Richard Garnett

'Like Benzema' - Jurgen Klopp told who should start in Roberto Firmino and Darwin Nunez Liverpool debate

Clarence Seedorf has compared one Liverpool forward to Real Madrid star Karim Benzema and insists that he should start every game for Jurgen Klopp's side.

That's despite Roberto Firmino making the starting XI for the Reds' 4-1 humbling against Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

The Brazilian has faced competition for his place since the arrival of Diogo Jota at Anfield and now has a further challenge in the shape of Darwin Nunez, following his big-money switch from Benfica this summer. But Seedorf, who won the Champions League with three different clubs during his career, is a big fan of Firmino's attributes and believes that even with Nunez in the squad, Jurgen Klopp will want to utilise the Liverpool No.9's game intelligence.

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Speaking on Prime Video during coverage of the Reds' disappointing showing in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Seedorf said: “Diego Maradona immediately makes you understand that here you can not come for a walk and I think the Liverpool players have already understood it.

“I would always put Firmino in the team. In recent years Liverpool did well because he is a bit like Benzema at Real Madrid. He knows how to play a little deeper and goes on the wings. He is a nine who can read what the team needs and Klopp will focus a lot on him this season, despite the arrival of Nunez."

Firmino moved to Merseyside in 2015 and has made 335 appearances for the Reds in all competitions, scoring 101 goals. He formed a devastating strike trio with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, but saw his game time reduce after Portuguese striker Jota hit the ground running on his arrival at the start of the 2020/21 season.

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