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Premier League | Gameweek 8
Nov 8, 2020 at 4.30pm UK
Etihad Stadium
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Man City
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Liverpool

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John Barnes: Roberto Firmino a "better bet" than Diogo Jota for Manchester City match

Barnes: Firmino a
© Reuters
Liverpool great John Barnes believes that Roberto Firmino should start against Manchester City on Sunday, despite calls for Diogo Jota to get the nod up top.

John Barnes has insisted that Roberto Firmino is a "better bet" than in-form Diogo Jota to start Liverpool's Premier League clash with Manchester City this weekend.

Jota scored a hat-trick in Liverpool's 5-0 win over Atalanta BC on Tuesday to make it six goals in four matches.

Firmino was on the bench for that Champions League game and has been tipped to stay there for Sunday's trip to the Etihad Stadium.

However, given the nature of the opposition, Liverpool great Barnes believes that Jurgen Klopp should select the Brazilian over Jota.

"Jota scored a hat-trick, but that doesn't mean he automatically goes into the team against Man City," he told talkSPORT.

"I think who plays depends on what the games are and who they're against and how that team plays. Against Man City, where you're not going to have as much possession, maybe Firmino will be a better bet.

"You need a player like Bobby Firmino to not only get hold of the ball but also do his defensive work.

"If you're playing a game against Atalanta or Leeds, a more open team, then you can see Jota coming in."

Firmino has three goals and two assists in 11 appearances for Liverpool this season, compared to seven and one respectively for summer signing Jota in 10 outings.

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Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring against West Ham United on October 31, 2020
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1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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