I personally prefer whatever option scores more goals for Liverpool FC, whether that be one player scoring 30 or three players scoring 10 each. However I don't see why it has to be a choice between one or the other. I don't think anyone advocates for a Mario Gomez type upfront, but rather someone who can link up play and be a more reliable goalscorer. As others have said, a Harry Kane upfront would hardly stop Salah and Mané from scoring, nor would it mean that we would have "predictable wide men" firing crosses for 90 minutes because of it. There are forwards out there who could do be that type of goalscorer for us - but they cost a lot of money, so hey, not very confident we'll get one.
I also don't think Klopp plays Firmino thinking "it's alright if he doesn't score much but runs a lot", rather I believe he sees potential in Bobby to become a more complete player in the coming years. The likes of Aubameyang and Lewandowski were also longer term projects for him, none were ready made products when he started managing them. After all the idea that Klopp doesn't "like" to play with a "proper" goalscorer is a strange one with no base on his managerial past. Anyway, I do hope that is the case and that he's right in sticking with Bobby if what I believe is true. I do like to think that at some point Firmino will "explode" and start scoring on a more regular basis.
I'm with you all the way on this, but the points others are seemingly making is that without a "fox in the box" or poacher type, we won't win anything.
I dispute that, and I think the more players we have scoring goals the better.
Some seem to have this idea of an old fashioned CF, who stays in the box, relying on service from wide men, which iMO would negate both Mane's and Salah's strengths, not to mention the fact that Firmino creates the space for them to flourish in a lot of the time.
Klopp likes what some are saying are "proper" strikers, but the bigger picture is that he makes those players, rather than buys them, and that's what I see in Firmino.
If we could rely on Sturridge, based on ability alone, with fewer injuries and a better work ethic (personally, I think he just doesn't quite "get it" but that's a different conversation), I'd be all for starting him, with Firmino in behind in some games, particularly where teams park the bus, but we just can't rely on the lad, and it seems such a waste of talent to me.
Firmino is struggling for form, and looks a bit leggy to me, but I have no doubt he'll come good, and may very well explode in the same way Suarez did, and at around the same age as well.
I think it should also be considered that we are very much a work in progress, have a young squad with lots of talent and will only get stronger.
Klopp will be looking at the bigger picture, long term plans, and development of players.
The only question that has any relevance is whether or not people trust his ability as a coach and manager.
If they say "yes" then it seems a bit odd to tack a "but" onto it.