Roberto Firmino has had a rough time in front of goal for Liverpool FC lately. But if his form for Brazil is any indication, he’s gonna be just fine. Fresh off scoring a brace against Bolivia a few days ago, Bobby looked sharp again in a 4-2 win against Peru in a World Cup Qualifier tie. Fabinho was an unused substitute.
While Neymar tying and overtaking Ronaldo as Brazil’s 2nd-highest goal scorer will (deservedly) grab most of the headlines, our teeth brandishing, no-look shooting dynamo was dipping into his bag of tricks again, dishing out an assist. Funnily enough, this one was to his opponent of Saturday, Everton attacker and Virgil van Dijk besmircher Richarlison. A header from the back post across goal allowed the latter to tap it in into the goal.
Firmino may find it difficult to get onto the team sheet on Saturday, as he has a 6,000 mile journey back to Merseyside to get through. He has been deployed in a more traditional striker’s role for Brazil, hanging around the box more with less of a focus on the defensive graft he puts in regularly for Liverpool. It seems to be doing him some good, and we can all only hope his shooting boots are all ready for the Blues this weekend.
On the European continent, Xherdan Shaqiri played 66 minutes for Switzerland in a 3-3 UEFA Nations League barnburner against Germany.
Takumi Minamino also made an appearance, coming on in the 61st minute in a 1-0 win over the Ivory Coast in a friendly played in Utrecht.