Gary Neville names Liverpool player who does not get respect he deserves

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Gary Neville has told Monday Night Football (broadcast on 18/10; 23:00) that the work Roberto Firmino does for Liverpool is unbelievable – insisting that the forward does not get the respect he deserves.

Firmino, of course, bagged a stunning hat-trick at the weekend. The treble came in the emphatic 5-0 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.

But somehow, the player who seemed to steal the show was Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian was absolutely sensational in the win. And with that, the victory seemed to sum up perfectly how Firmino’s time at Anfield has played out.

There is no question that the 30-year-old has been absolutely vital to Jurgen Klopp’s side for a number of years. But he does not tend to get the plaudits enjoyed by Salah or Sadio Mane.

Nevertheless, when asked to pick a combined Liverpool and Manchester United XI ahead of this weekend’s fixture, Neville insisted that he could not leave Firmino out, with the Brazil international getting the nod for the attacking midfield role.

“I refuse to disrespect Firmino,” he told Monday Night Football. “The work in possession and out of possession that he does on behalf of the team is unbelievable.

“But I don’t believe that he ever really gets the full respect that he deserves for his performances and how he dovetails with midfield, how he dovetails with the two wide players, how he fills back in in big games.”

Salah and Mane surely have a lot to thank Firmino for at Liverpool

Salah and Mane are probably more likely to be named in fans’ all-time Liverpool sides. The former, in particular, will surely be remembered amongst the club’s greatest ever forwards.

But it is surely fair to say that neither Salah or Mane would boast such incredible records were it not for Firmino.

And the Brazilian himself has an outrageous record. He has 93 goals and 70 assists in 299 games for the Reds in all competitions.

Surely therefore, it is reasonable to suggest that there are few players in world football who could have provided what Firmino has contributed during his time on Merseyside.