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Liverpool are expected to be in the market for another forward option this summer with stars such as Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi possibly moving on.

Ball retention has, at times, proven to be an issue without Roberto Firmino in the side this season, even if Liverpool have sometimes done well in terms of the results, and the sample size is small for him being absent.



"But Firmino is the one most under pressure for his place and when they have tried that with Jota in there and Firmino is out of the side, ball retention has been a real issue.



There have been few occasions this season where Liverpool have played without a 'linking' number nine with Firmino out of the team, with several variations of Salah, Sadio Mane, Jota and Divock Origi.



Even if Firmino has not been at his best this season, and an upgrade could well be required, his ability to maintain the ball and move Liverpool up the pitch remains something to consider.

And Real Madrid clash in the Champions League was just the latest example of that, with the Spanish side able to dictate the play and put sequences of passes together far more competently than Liverpool.

"If they do bring in another attacker, it has got to be someone who brings a bit of what Firmino does to the table."