Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk names Roberto Firmino as the best player he’s played with
So many players have joined and left Liverpool. Only a few left with the class that Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliviera left the club with. Joining in 2015 under Brendan Rodgers, he found his feet under Jurgen Klopp and over the years, he established himself as one of the best Liverpool players of all time and to add to that, he’s Virgil van Dijk’s favourite.
362 appearances for the Reds across all competitions. 111 goals and 79 assists but his performances transcend mere statistics. He was the key that unlocked one of the best winger-pairings in Premier League history. Both, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have often spoken of Firmino as a huge contributor to their success. Of course, who would know better than them both, but even we can tell how great Bobby was during his time on Merseyside.
Firmino’s departure from Liverpool left a void that will not remain easily filled no matter who you sign. His impact on the team went far beyond his impressive statistics, as acknowledged by Virgil van Dijk in a chat with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards on ‘The Rest Is Football Podcast’ on YouTube.
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“I think Bobby Firmino has been a big figure in the success that we had over the last years. He kept two of the best wingers in Premier League history together. For me personally, the defensive work he did, outstanding. He’s been so good. Also difficult to defend in training. But also that makes us learn how to deal with dropping nines. So I would give a lot of credit to him.”
As earlier mentioned, both Salah and Mane have attributed much of their success to Firmino’s unselfish play and intelligent movement off the ball. His ability to drop deep, hold up play, and create opportunities for others made him a linchpin in Klopp’s system.
Firmino’s influence extended beyond his attacking prowess. His work rate and defensive contribution were equally impressive, often setting the tone for Liverpool’s high-pressing game. His ability to win back possession and disrupt opposition attacks made him invaluable in Klopp’s gegenpressing system.
But what truly set Firmino apart was his unique style of play. Often operating as a ‘false nine,’ he would drop deep to collect the ball, drawing defenders out of position and creating space for Salah and Mane to exploit. His vision and creativity allowed him to unlock stubborn defences with incisive passes and clever movement, earning him the nickname ‘The Magician’ among Liverpool fans.
It comes as no surprise that Virgil considers Firmino one of the best players he’s ever played with. The Dutch defender has shared the pitch with some of the game’s finest talents throughout his career, but Firmino’s impact on Liverpool’s success was unparalleled. Firmino may not have always grabbed the headlines or received the plaudits he deserved, but his impact on the team’s style of play and winning mentality was immeasurable.
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After all, “There’s something that the Kop wants you to know. The best in the world his name is Bobby Firmino. Our number nine, give him the ball and he’ll score every time.”
