Garth Crooks praises Roberto Firmino for ‘masterclass’ in Liverpool win over Burnley

Add as preferred source on Google

BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has said in his weekly piece that when Roberto Firmino is on song so are Liverpool. 

The Brazilian was in fine form for the Reds in a 3-0 drubbing of Burnley on Saturday, claiming one goal and an assist from the Turf Moor contest.

Firmino is a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s three-pronged attack and he has started in fine form this season. In scoring on Saturday he actually became the first Brazilian player to score 50 goals in the Premier League.

Crooks believe his performance on Saturday was a joy to behold.

He said in his weekly BBC Sport piece: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again when Roberto Firmino is on song, so are Liverpool. The Brazilian orchestrated a masterclass by the Merseysiders against a Burnley side who, but for one brief occasion, never looked in the match.”

A rift emerged on Saturday between Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. The Senegalese international was clearly upset at being substituted after Salah had failed to pick him out on two occasions when free of his marker.

Crooks thinks that Firmino might actually help heal the rift between the pair of forwards.

He continued: “Perhaps Firmino can heal the obvious rift between Salah and Mane because it would appear manager Jurgen Klopp is having difficulty.

“For Mane to explode so publicly, as he did at being subbed after Salah had so clearly ignored him on two occasions when in scoring positions, was completely justified. Salah can’t play this game on his own – a point Firmino clearly understands.”

TBR Verdict – Salah and Mane get the plaudits but Firmino is just as important

Crooks does have a point in pointing out that Liverpool playing well is typically dependent on the form of Firmino.

The £180,000-a-week (Spotrac) star is the one typically tasked with playing as the central forward and in dropping deep he allows more space for Mane and Salah to work their magic.

His role in the team is all about being selfless and doing the ugly work that some strikers perhaps don’t always enjoy doing.

On that basis his importance to the way Klopp sets his team up is significant and their good start has coincided with Firmino being on top form.