Jurgen Klopp has stated his surprise that Liverpool were able to sign Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim at the start of last season. Even though Firmino was a Brendan Rodgers signing, it is Klopp who is using the Brazilian rather well as the front man in the attack.
Firmino had scored 38 Bundesliga goals for the league side before his £29m move to Anfield. Many had criticised the move for the Brazilian, deeming it to be too expensive but Klopp stated otherwise.
As reported by the Daily Mirror, the former Borussia Dortmund had this to say about the Brazilian forward.
“When I left Dortmund, I didn’t speak to anyone to offer advice. Nobody asked me about him, but yes, he was a player I thought was one of the best in the Bundesliga.
“So when I saw that Liverpool had signed him I thought, ‘How could Liverpool do this?’ They were not in their 100% best moment and other clubs would have spent more on him, so I thought, immediately, ‘What a good transfer for them.’
“When I heard about it I thought they had made a good signing, because I felt I pretty sure clubs would have paid a lot more for him.”
Firmino delivering the good this season for Liverpool
With Daniel Sturridge constantly injured, it is Firmino who has started most games for the Merseyside club as the striker. His movement, work rate and link up play with Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho has been exceptional and it has paid off for both the Reds and the 25-year-old.
Firmino has already scored six goals in all competitions for the Reds and also has three assists to his name. There will be a far greater onus on him creating goals for the side as Coutinho faces a month out with an injury.
The line will probably be led by Divock Origi in the home game against West Ham and Firmino will certainly be the one who can create a lot of problems for the Hammers. He was not as effective as usual and the side rather incredibly let go of a 3-1 lead and lost out against a decent Bournemouth side.
The loss meant Liverpool ended the weekend four points behind Chelsea but the main aim for the Reds would be to stay in the top four. The Reds know they need to get back to the Champions League if they are to attract the best talent in the world and with no European football to distract them this season, they know this is their best chance of getting back into the big time.
