---
title: "Liverpool: James Pearce predicts Roberto Firmino return date"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/james-pearce-roberto-firmino-injury-return-date/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2021-11-09T14:45:34Z"
modified: "2021-11-09T14:45:34Z"
---

# Liverpool: James Pearce predicts Roberto Firmino return date

**Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino should return from a hamstring injury before Christmas, according to reliable journalist James Pearce.**

### The Lowdown: Firmino missing through injury

The Reds have again been hampered by numerous [injuries](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-liverpool/sperrenundverletzungen/verein/31) this season, as was the case last time around, with the Brazilian one of those currently absent. The 30-year-old limped out of last week’s win over Atletico Madrid with a hamstring issue, with an extended spell on the sidelines [being expected](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/12460799/roberto-firmino-liverpool-forward-out-with).

Firmino had just found some form again after struggling in 2020/21 – he has [scored six times](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/96182/Show/Roberto-Firmino) already this season – so the news was undoubtedly a setback for Jurgen Klopp.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″\]

### The Latest: Pearce predicts Firmino comeback date

Speaking in a Q&A for [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/2938172/2021/11/07/liverpool-fans-discuss-the-west-ham-game-with-our-reporter-james-pearce/) on Sunday off the back of Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat at West Ham, Pearce claimed that the Brazilian would hopefully be back in action in the middle of December, a month before Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are [due to depart](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-salah-mane-afcon-chelsea-21924653) for the Africa Cup of Nations.

He wrote: “Looking for positives, Firmino should be back playing by mid-December so will be going into that crunch period fresh when Salah/Mane are away.”

[Latest Liverpool transfer news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-11/)

### The Verdict: Reds desperately need him back

Firmino is such a subtle player that his brilliance [isn’t always appreciated](https://tribuna.com/en/news/liverpoolfc-2020-03-25-everyone-says-it-few-understand-explaining-what-makes-firmino-so-underrated-as-the-stereo/) by the masses, but he is a vital player for Liverpool. His ability to drop deep allows space in behind for Salah and Mane, while his selflessness and work ethic make him a fantastic team player.

Liverpool rarely look as cohesive in attack when Diogo Jota plays instead of him, as shown in Sunday’s defeat to West Ham, when the 24-year-old had just [17 accurate passes](https://www.fotmob.com/match/3610038/player-match-card/570461/west-ham-united-vs-liverpool) in the match. Therefore, Pearce’s prediction of a pre-Christmas return for the Brazilian is very welcome news indeed.

***In other news, Pearce has also discussed Liverpool’s interest in a Premier League player. Read more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-rumours/liverpool-james-pearce-talks-up-reds-jarrod-bowen-interest/).***