“He is just exceptional”: Klopp full of praise for unique 10-goal Liverpool star

Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has laid praise on Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino. (h/t Liverpoolfc)

The Liverpool No.9 was in imperious form against Southampton. He grabbed a hat-trick of assists as the Reds ran out 4-0 winners.

Klopp did not hold back in his praise for the player who has been central to his gameplan. Calling him ‘unique’, the German manager went on to extol Firmino’s virtues.

“He is just exceptional, a very football-smart person. How he uses the skills of his mates is special. I do not know a player like him, that is true.”

The 28-year old was praised for his ability to get in between a tight Southampton setup and make space for his teammates. Firmino has scored 10 goals and 10 assists in 35 appearances for the club this season. Interestingly, all of his goals have come away from Anfield. (h/t Whoscored)

The quintessential team player, Firmino is unlike any other striker in the modern game. Not only is he a capable scorer in his own right, but also creates a conducive environment for others around him to thrive.

Klopp’s praise is indeed high as he has managed the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in his career already.

Liverpool signed Firmino from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015 for £29million. Although he initially struggled, Klopp’s reinvention of him as a ‘false nine’ has redefined the position in the game and brought to the fore the striker’s impressive qualities.

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Firmino played a key role as Liverpool won the UEFA Champions League and the Club World Cup. The Brazilian was at hand to score the winner against the latter to secure the club’s first world crown.

The striker has won 44 caps for the Brazilian national side. He scored two goals and made three assists as Brazil won the Copa America in 2019. (h/t Whoscored)