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Chris Sutton worried about one Liverpool star who needs to ‘step up’ to beat Man City
LIVERPOOL forward Roberto Firmino must step up and start contributing goals for the remainder of the season to help his side’s Premier League title charge.
Liverpool: Roberto Firmino needs to ‘step up’ says pundit
That is according to BBC Sport pundit and ex-Celtic and Chelsea striker Chris Sutton.
Firmino has scored 11 Premier League goals for Liverpool this season, only four short of his tally of 15 last term.
But team-mate Mohamed Salah has failed to reach the heights of his debut campaign at Anfield, scoring 17 times compared to his Golden Boot-winning total of 32.
Sutton believes Liverpool have been too reliant on Salah and Sadio Mane, with the latter also scoring 17 times.
The one that worries me a little bit, I do feel Firmino has to step up, I really do
Jurgen Klopp’s side struggle to provide goals from midfield, with regular starters Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Georginio Winjnaldum scoring just three between them in all competitions.
So Sutton believes Firmino must help out by lessening the burden on Salah and Mane.
“The one that worries me a little bit, I do feel Firmino has to step up, I really do,” Sutton said on 5 Live.
“They’ve been reliant on Salah and Mane and they need others to come to the fore at a time when it really matters now.
“Others need to step up don’t they. They have been reliant on Salah and Mane.
“I think he needs to be more ruthless at this stage of the season.
“We’ve talked about Liverpool’s midfield, comparing them to City’s midfield and City have goals in the midfield.
“But others need to come to the party at Liverpool.”
Liverpool: League title down to Mo Salah's form says pundit
Liverpool: League title down to Mo Salah's form says pundit
Liverpool are currently top of the Premier League table, two points clear of second-placed Manchester City.
They beat relegation-threatened Fulham 2-1 on Sunday thanks to a late James Milner penalty.
However, City do have a game in hand following their FA Cup exploits over the weekend.
They beat Swansea 3-2 in the quarter-final to maintain their quadruple hopes.