- Jurgen Klopp reveals Roberto Firmino as Liverpool’s most highly-rated teammate
- Brazilian would be first pick for training teams according to the Liverpool manager
- Firmino has 17 goals to his name so far this season
- SEE MORE: Liverpool aim to spend ‘large part’ of Coutinho fee on Spanish starlet
Roberto Firmino’s stunning form has finally eradicated doubts over his vital role at Anfield and his talent altogether.
Whilst those outside of Liverpool have taken an age to acknowledge the Brazilian’s genius, it is something Firmino’s teammates have been long accustomed to.
The forward has taken meaningful strides towards justifying being handed the No.9 shirt at the start of the season, contributing 17 goals and nine assists in all competitions so far this season.
Besides posing as the ever-present engine so often behind Liverpool’s explosive counterattacking moves, Firmino has started to bolster his resume with a prolific scoring streak.
Jurgen Klopp admits no other player receives as much praise on Merseyside than Firmino.
“I don’t think that it’s possible that somebody could get more credit, compliments, praise, whatever you want to say as Roberto gets from us,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com.
“But it’s well deserved – everything. He’s a fantastic football player. You see him in training and think, ‘what a work ethic, what an attitude’, and he brings it on the pitch as well.”
“He never rests. You have to pull him out, you have to tell him, ‘come on, stop, sit here, calm’.”
“I hear in the stadium that people like him – good idea! – but I have no real idea if anybody thinks he’s not important or whatever. I’m not too interested, to be honest,” Klopp added.
“I’m pretty sure if I give the players the opportunity to have a free choice in training [to] build teams by themselves, Bobby is one of the first they would pick.”
Firmino was a starring figure in last week’s 4-3 win over Manchester City, tormenting Pep Guardiola’s defence with his typically fierce pressing and illusive movement across Liverpool’s front three.
Though doubts over his conviction naturally continue to loom, there is no denying the 26-year-old’s progression or the touch of class he provides in the final third.
From his sheer work ethic to a will to express himself on the ball, Firmino encapsulates everything Reds have come to adore about this Jurgen Klopp-led Liverpool.
With Philippe Coutinho out of the picture, it’s his fellow countryman’s time to assert himself as a worthy talisman.