BBC pundit says Roberto Firmino was outstanding in Liverpool win

Add as preferred source on Google

Jonathan Woodgate has told BBC Sport that Roberto Firmino was outstanding for Liverpool in their Champions League win over Rangers, while he also lauded Joe Gomez’s ‘beautiful’ second-half assist.

The Reds have got more than one foot in the knockout stages after a hard-fought win at Ibrox on Wednesday. Of course, Jurgen Klopp’s men would have expected a tougher test to last week.

And fans may have feared the worst after the early stages of the tie. Scott Arfield gave the home side the lead after just 17 minutes. And Rangers had opportunities to move even further ahead.

Firmino was outstanding

However, Liverpool would level the tie shortly after. Firmino was able to head home from close range.

And 10 minutes into the second-half, the visitors were in front. Gomez did superbly running down the right flank. And when Firmino pointed for a pass to be played in front of him in the middle, Gomez found him with Trent Alexander-Arnold-esque precision.

From there, the Brazilian made no mistake, poking the ball past Allan McGregor to turn the game around.

Woodgate lauded Gomez for the cross. But he was particularly keen to praise Firmino for his performance.

“Roberto Firmino is there again,” he told BBC Sport.

“It’s brilliant play though from Joe Gomez down the wing, a beautiful ball in and then Firmino had full composure to slot it in.

“He’s been outstanding from the first minute and stood up for Liverpool.”

Firmino’s form is probably not getting the credit that it deserves this season. Perhaps understandably, many are focusing on the way the Reds have been struggling for any consistency.

But the 31-year-old has scored six times to top their scoring charts in the Premier League. And he is now off the mark in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, his fourth assist of the campaign came with a sumptuous touch to set up Darwin Nunez for Liverpool’s third at Ibrox. It was an audacious flick into the striker’s path, which Woodgate labelled ‘world-class’.

It was a further moment of brilliance from a player who is really stepping up for Jurgen Klopp’s men this season.