Manchester City FC were torn apart by a Jurgen Klopp led Liverpool FC, as the German marshalled his troops to a 4-1 rout of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Among other things, Klopp highlighted the performance of Roberto Firmino and heaped praise on the Brazilian for an impressive display in a crucial match.
If Klopp was the missing chemical that earned Liverpool a product as sweet as it comes, Roberto Firmino was the catalyst. The Brazilian started alongside his compatriot Coutinho as the two tore the City defense to shreds by combining superbly with each other. Manager Jurgen Klopp was quick to praise the Brazilian duo, as the German voiced a few kind words for Roberto Firmino.
a I told you a few weeks ago I know about his quality,a said Klopp of Firmino, as reported by thisisanfield . .
a He trained 10-12 days with us without interruption, the same as Coutinho, and that is the reason we played like this with the formation like this a we tried to put on the pitch as many players who trained together.a
Firmino Returns With A Bang
The 24-year old was instrumental in all of Liverpool’s goals in the first half, scoring one himself. But his assists were perhaps better than the tap-in that he scored, forcing Mangala to find his own net with a cross from the by-line for the first goal, and brilliantly picking out Philippe Coutinho on the break for the second.
Firmino had last played at Old Trafford under Brendan Rodgers against Manchester United where he was deployed on the right wing of a five-man midfield. He looked far from comfortable that evening, but last night was one of his stand-out displays in a Liverpool shirt. Anyone who doubted Firmino and Coutinho at the start of the campaign are having to eat their words now as Klopp seems to have identified his players’ most effective positions.