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Micah Richards has labelled Liverpool star Roberto Firmino as a “big player” after he was the match-winner in midweek.

Firmino scored a 90th minute header at Anfield to give the Reds a 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the Premier League, which was a result that lifted them to the top of the table above Spurs.

The 29-year-old often has criticism aimed at him for his lack of goals in comparison to teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, but pundit Richards has pointed out he does score in big games.

He’s netted three times so far this season, all in wins over Spurs, Leicester City and Sheffield United in the Premier League.

The £29million star has been an integral part of the Jurgen Klopp reign on Merseyside and helps tie everything together in the final third, but is perhaps overlooked for the goals that he does score.

“There had been criticism of Roberto Firmino, but he is such an important part of Jurgen Klopp’s team and not someone who can ever be disrespected,” Richards told the Daily Mail.

“He might not score as many goals as a typical No 9, but when he does register, they are always goals that make a difference. That is how you define big players and Klopp’s team are full of them.”

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Summer signing Diogo Jota has helped share the workload for Liverpool in attack since he joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers, albeit he’s recently been sidelined through injury.

Firmino is now starting to respond well to the challenge of fresh blood in the squad and it’s a positive for manager Klopp that his team continues to develop despite winning the league title last season.

The Brazilian striker has scored four goals in his last five Premier League matches against Spurs to make them and he’ll be hoping he can continue some momentum Saturday afternoon against Crystal Palace.