Liverpool told Firmino will make them regret not signing Werner

Liverpool legend John Aldridge believes his former club may rue their decision not to sign Timo Werner this summer and has questioned Roberto Firmino’s recent form in front of goal.

Werner was thought to be one of Reds manager Jurgen Klopp’s top targets, but the Reds baulked at RB Leipzig’s asking price and the 24-year-old striker eventually moved to Chelsea, where he impressed on his Premier League debut in the 3-1 win against Brighton on Monday.

Although Firmino played a key role in Liverpool’s triumphant Premier League campaign last season the Brazilian only managed nine goals, and he failed to find the back of the net again in the 4-3 win against Leeds on Saturday.

And speaking to the Liverpool Echo Aldridge stated his belief that the club should have brought in competition for the player to get him firing again.

“Bobby Firmino still seems to have the shackles around him a little bit,” Aldridge said.

“He got involved in midfield and showed some nice touches but, again, in the box at Anfield it wasn’t happening for him.

“He missed a good chance second half after a great link up with his strike partners and obviously we all remember how it took him until the final home game of last season to score a league goal at Anfield.

“I don’t know if that’s still playing on his mind because he didn’t look himself in the box.

“There’s been a lot said about Liverpool’s stance in the transfer market this summer but I can’t help but feel it might do Bobby some good if he did have someone breathing down his neck for his place so he knows he’s got to score goals.”

How many goals will Firmino score for Liverpool this season? Have your say below.

Aldridge thinks Werner would have been the perfect addition, and added: “Transfers themselves are also something of a gamble for Liverpool as it’s hard to improve on what we’ve got and also convince players to sign who know they probably won’t be first choice. But I still think we could do with another goalscorer.

“In an ideal world, the fans would have loved to have seen us get Timo Werner or someone of that ilk but it wasn’t possible.

“Freshening the squad up, even if it’s just one player, keeps everyone on their toes and adds to the competition for places.”