How Barcelona will line up with Roberto Firmino

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 24 Apr 2023 19:51 BST
• 4 min read

Barcelona have reportedly agreed terms with Roberto Firmino, who will leave Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the season. How will the Blaugrana line up with the Brazilian in their ranks?

Firmino will bring an end to eight glittering seasons at Anfield this summer, during which contributed 109 goals and 79 assists on the way to Champions League and Premier League glory.

Barca are operating in the free transfer market ahead of next season having been told by La Liga to reduce their debt by €200 million, and Lionel Messi also looks increasingly likely to make an emotional return from Paris Saint-Germain.

READ: Barcelona reach agreement to sign Liverpool star

But with a world class No.9 on the books in Robert Lewandowski, and the game's greatest No.10 returning, how will Firmino fit in?

While Lewandowski and Messi might look like they block Firmino's path to first team minutes, the fact he can operate in both positions - he has often been described as a 'nine-and-a-half' - could play into his hands.

Although Barca have used a 4-3-3 almost religiously for generations, reports in Spain suggest that Xavi plans to try a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond next season in order to incorporate Messi - and he doesn't necessarily want Messi at the tip of it.

READ: The BIZARRE position Barcelona plan to play Messi next season

Messi's engine remains intact, but at 36 his creative genius will be significantly more important, and removing his need to press from the front could be beneficial. With Gavi's future uncertain, there is a ready-made spot for him at right midfield too.

That leaves space for Firmino to play at No.10, with Lewandowski likely accompanied by Ousmane Dembele in attack. The Frenchman may be a winger by trade, but has previously played alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front for Borussia Dortmund.

A player like Firmino also gives Xavi options. Should Gavi stay or Dembele be injured, Messi could move to No.10 with Firmino joining Lewandowski right up front.

Further back, Frenkie de Jong could find himself anchoring the midfield more often than not with Sergio Busquets nearing a big-money move to the Middle East or MLS.

At the back, there is no need to fix something that isn't broken. The back four - left to right - of Alejandro Balde, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde, in front of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, have only conceded nine goals this season, with Ter Stegen keeping 22 clean sheets.

Kounde's history as a centre-back (and Firmino's) mean that Messi would have plenty of cover from the nearest players to him playing so deep as well.