Add as preferred source on Google

Martin Keown has made a comparison between Spurs talisman Harry Kane and Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino.

Tottenham striker Kane has made a career out of being a prolific goalscorer and that’s continued so far this season, scoring 10 goals in 11 games across all competitions.

But the 27-year-old has discovered a new dimension to his game that has had everyone talking, as he’s also produced nine assists and shown off his ability as a creator when he drops into deeper areas.

Keown believes there are similarities between what Kane is doing now and Liverpool forward Firmino.

Firmino, 29, has been so successful in recent years for the Reds playing a false-nine position where he links everything together in the final third and he’s managed 21 assists during the two previous seasons.

The £29million (BBC) Liverpool man spearheads his team so effectively, which allows his teammates around him thrive.

“We’ve seen what Roberto Firmino does for Liverpool – how he drops into those pockets of space and has willing runners in Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who start wide but come inside,” Keown told the Daily Mail.  

“Kane, likewise, has fast-paced forwards who he can pick out. That’s been Heung-Min Son of late – most notably in that 5-2 win over Southampton when Kane took advantage of the hosts’ high line to assist his team-mate four times.

“But now he has Gareth Bale, too. Son and Bale could become Tottenham’s inside forwards with Kane applying those golden passes into their paths.”

TBR’s View:

Kane has added something to his game certainly under Jose Mourinho in terms of the positions he picks up on the pitch and he’s showing that his all-round game is fantastic, but he’s a natural goalscorer that is going to be disappointed if he’s not scoring himself.

The England captain has to be considered one of the best number nines in the world and his ability to help link up play is just another string to his bow.

Firmino has never produced the same kind of numbers as Kane, which is why the Spurs man has the edge.