Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino was arrested on Christmas Eve and charged with drink driving, leading to calls from fans that he should be dropped from the first team for Tuesday’s Premier League fixture against Stoke City.

Firmino, 25, was stopped by police in the early hours of Saturday morning and has been charged with drink driving, with the Brazilian due to appear in court next month.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “Merseyside Police has charged a 25-year-old man with drink driving after his car was stopped in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of Saturday, December 24 2016.

“Roberto Firmino, from Liverpool, will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates Court on 31 January 2017.”

If found guilty, Firmino is likely to face a driving ban and a fine.

Firmino is free to play in Liverpool's match against Stoke City on Tuesday as well as the crucial New Year's Eve visit of Manchester City to Anfield, but the club could choose to suspend the forward if they believe there is reason to do so.

Liverpool are not in action on Boxing Day as they play Stoke City on Tuesday, a day after most of their Premier League rivals. The striker has grown into one of the fan favourites at Anfield this season, although the news of his drink-driving charge has not gone down well with supporters who believe he should be dropped.

Premier League match preview: Liverpool v Stoke

One fan questioned whether manager Jurgen Klopp would stick by Firmino, having already banished Mamadou Sakho from the Liverpool first team over his attitude and behaviour.

Liverpool January transfer targets Show all 7 1 /7 Liverpool January transfer targets Liverpool January transfer targets Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) The Merseyside club failed with an £11m bid for the 18-year-old striker in the summer, but may try their hand at signing him again this January. Pulisic is one of Europe's most highly-rated teenagers, having already made his international debut for the United States. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Virgil van Dijk (Southampton) It would not be a transfer window without Liverpool being linked with somebody from Southampton. This time it's Van Dijk, who has emerged as one of the Premier League's best centre-halves since arriving on the south coast from Celtic. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen) Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keen to strengthen his defence and the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back would be a good addition for the Reds. The German Tah is only 20 years of age but has impressed for both club and country this season. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Paul-Georges Ntep (Rennes) The left-midfielder’s deal at Rennes expires at the end of the season and so he will be free to sign a pre-contract in January. A strong dribbler of the ball, Ntep has been made two appearances for France. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) Seeing as Roberto Firmino is not a natural no. 9 and Daniel Sturridge has fallen out of favour, Liverpool have been linked with several strikers including French forward Alexandre Lacazette. The Lyon striker is quick, explosive and has already reached double figures this season. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) The Athletic Bilbao youngster signed a new contract in January with a release clause of €50m, but the rumours linking him with Anfield have not died down. The 22-year-old would certainly fit in with Jurgen Klopp’s style of play. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Mahmoud Dahoud (Borussia Monchengladbach) Jurgen Klopp has long admired the Germany under-21 midfielder, who plies his trade with Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany. Klopp will have to do battle with former club Dortmund to sign the German, while Italian giants Juventus are also interested. Getty

They wrote: “The worry now is we have seen what happens when you let Klopp down. Sakho got binned instantly. Possibly Firmino will suffer Same fate.”

Some fans even suggested that Klopp should look to sell Firmino if he is found guilty this week, with Sakho banished from the squad for much less than Firmino’s alleged crime.