‘Number one’: Steve McManaman says ‘world class’ Liverpool player has improved so much since last season

Add as preferred source on Google

Steve McManaman has hailed the improvement of Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino since last season.

Firmino scored twice as the Reds thumped Rangers 7-1 at Ibrox last night in the Champions League.

Mo Salah will grab the headlines for his rapid hat-trick as a substitute, but Firmino’s contribution when the game was in the balance cannot be overlooked.

He got Liverpool level and then ahead on 55 minutes before the Reds went goal crazy and got some form and confidence back.

McManaman on Firmino

There was a time last season when it looked like Firmino’s time at Liverpool was dwindling, with his performances tailing off and other players overtaking him in the pecking order.

And McManaman referenced that point on commentary for BT Sport last night around the 70 minute mark, and hailed the Brazilian’s improvement since.

McManaman said of Firmino: “There was times last season you’d say he was number five in the order but right now he’s the number one.

“And that’s all credit to himself really.”

Firmino has been crucial to this Liverpool side down the years and as they have gone through a poor patch lately, he has underlined his quality once again.

He deserves huge credit for that because he was being written off in some quarters, but produced a ‘world class’ display last night.

That makes it eight goals in 12 games across all competitions this season for Firmino ahead of the huge clash with Manchester City this weekend.