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Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino during their UEFA Champions League match against Napoli at Anfield, Liverpool, November 2022.

Comparing Roberto Firmino’s 22-23 stats to Brazil’s WC forwards

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino was a surprise inclusion from Brazil’s World Cup squad despite a strong start to the 2022-23 season. 

Firmino has been capped 55 times by his national side and was a key part of Brazil’s success at the Copa America in 2019 after taking part in his country’s World Cup campaign the previous year.

But strong competition for attacking places in Tite’s squad has meant that the Champions League winner has missed out on Brazil’s squad for Qatar.

In a post on Instagram, Firmino wrote: “Passing by to say thank you for all the lovely messages. The World Cup is a dream for every player and with me it wouldn’t be any different.

“Yesterday things didn’t go the way I imagined or dreamed for my life but I can look back and have a grateful heart to God that he has already allowed me to live that dream as well as so many others.

“You, Lord, will keep in perfect peace him whose purpose is firm, because he trusts in you.”

Firmino’s form for Liverpool this season, in a difficult start for his club, had seemingly confirmed his place at the World Cup but Tite has chosen younger options such as Gabriel Martinelli instead.

We’ve compared the 2022-23 league stats of Firmino against those of the forwards Tite selected in his place to weigh up whether the Liverpool man has been hard done by.

Goals
Neymar – 11
Pedro – 11
Roberto Firmino – 6
Vinicius Jr – 6
Gabriel Jesus – 5
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Rodrygo – 4
Antony – 3
Raphinha – 2
Richarlison – 0

Assists
Neymar – 9
Gabriel Jesus – 5
Rodrygo – 4
Roberto Firmino – 3
Pedro – 3
Vinicius Jr – 3
Gabriel Martinelli – 2
Raphinha – 2
Richarlison – 2
Antony – 0

Minutes per goal
Neymar – 91.8
Pedro – 106.2
Roberto Firmino – 143.5
Antony – 164.6
Vinicius Jr – 190.2
Rodrygo – 208.0
Gabriel Martinelli – 219.4
Gabriel Jesus – 227.2
Raphinha – 285.0
Richarlison – N/A

Minutes per goal or assist
Neymar – 50.5
Pedro – 83.4
Roberto Firmino – 95.6
Rodrygo – 104.0
Gabriel Jesus – 113.6
Vinicius Jr – 126.7
Raphinha – 142.5
Gabriel Martinelli – 156.7
Antony – 164.6
Richarlison – 184.5

Chances created per 90 mins
Neymar – 3.2
Raphinha – 3.2
Richarlison – 2.0
Gabriel Martinelli – 1.9
Vinicius Jr – 1.9
Roberto Firmino – 1.8
Rodrygo – 1.8
Gabriel Jesus – 1.7
Antony – 1.3
Pedro – 1.2

Successful dribbles per 90 mins (success rate)
Vinicius Jr – 2.4 (39.3%)
Rodrygo – 2.2 (46.8%)
Gabriel Jesus – 2.1 (41.8%)
Gabriel Martinelli – 2.1 (50%)
Raphinha – 2.1 (50%)
Neymar – 2.0 (57.1%)
Richarlison – 1.0 (31.3%)
Antony – 0.9 (33.3%)
Pedro – 0.8 (50%)
Roberto Firmino – 0.6 (42.9%)

Neymar celebrates his goal during the Ligue 1 match between PSG and Troyes at Parc des Princes, Paris, October 2022.

READ: Neymar’s latest ridiculousness sent an opponent into the Bay of Biscay

Passes per 90 mins (passing accuracy)
Neymar – 70.0 (82.7%)
Raphinha – 48.9 (79.6%)
Roberto Firmino – 39.4 (78.2%)
Antony – 37.9 (83.1%)
Vinicius Jr – 33.7 (81.6%)
Rodrygo – 32.6 (88.0%)
Gabriel Martinelli – 29.8 (84.6%)
Gabriel Jesus – 28.2 (80.9%)
Richarlison – 26.8 (73.9%)
Pedro – 14.2 (72.5%)

Shots per 90 mins (inside the penalty area)
Pedro – 4.1 (3.7)
Raphinha – 4.1 (2.4)
Rodrygo – 3.9 (2.3)
Gabriel Jesus – 3.6 (3.4)
Antony – 3.6 (1.6)
Roberto Firmino – 3.1 (2.8)
Neymar – 2.9 (1.9)
Richarlison – 2.7 (2.5)
Vinicius Jr – 2.8 (1.9)
Gabriel Martinelli – 2.6 (1.6)


READ MORE: 8 players from World Cup 2002 we can’t believe are still playing in 2022

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