Jurgen Klopp probably couldn’t believe his luck when he arrived at Liverpool last year and found Roberto Firmino waiting for him in the dressing room. Klopp was well acquainted with the Brazilian from his days in charge of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga where Firmino starred for Hoffenheim. He was a keen admirer of his talent and knew the precise mix to bring it out on a consistent basis.
“I played him a lot of times when he was at Hoffenheim so I knew a lot about him,” the Reds manager said. “The only thing is now he makes sure of talent and attitude.”
Firmino was foundering during his early days at Anfield. Goalless in his first six Premier League matches, he was in danger of being contaminated with the label of "flop." Brendan Rodgers had paid Hoffenheim 29 million pounds for the forward in the summer of 2015 while Firmino was with the Brazil squad at the Copa America, but the Irishman got little or no return on that before being sacked after a Merseyside derby draw against Everton.
Firmino was in no man’s land. Then again, so was Liverpool. Both club and player were desperately in search of inspiration, purpose and identity. Klopp has put Liverpool together again since taking charge and has finally brought the best from the 24-year-old.
Firmino learned a lot at Hoffenheim – enough, of course, to earn a place alongside Neymar in the Brazil team for whom he scored again last week – but one thing we perhaps never learned about him was his best position. He was a polyvalent presence — playing many different roles — but consistently effective in his chance creation and to a lesser extent his goal scoring.
Firmino also possesses a tall, sturdy frame which meant adaptation to the Premier League should have been at least theoretically easier. Like his absorption into the first-team ranks at Hoffenheim and the national team, though, it would take a while for Firmino to make his mark for Liverpool.
A goal and two assists in the ransacking of Manchester City last November served notice of his capabilities for the first time to British audiences, and he finished the season with more goals and assists than any other Liverpool player.
“He’s a really good football player and he loves what he’s doing,” said Klopp.
The Gerrman recently appeared on Monday Night Football and was asked to pin down his Liverpool formation. Was it 4-3-3 or was it 4-5-1, or was it something else entirely? He didn’t have a straight answer. He was at pains to explain that there were certain sectors on the field in which he likes his players to be when Liverpool had the ball. It does not necessarily matter who is where so long as Liverpool has passing options and the preparedness to get bodies in the box at the right time.
He said Sadio Mane was as likely to find himself in a central playmaking role as Adam Lallana was to pop up on the right wing. Liverpool — with those two former Southampton stars, Firmino and Philippe Coutinho — has as fluid a front line as exists in the Premier League. Klopp has reconstructed Liverpool’s attack with Firmino the centerpiece; he is off and running this season with three league goals and two assists.
He was on hand to rescue the Reds from an ordinary result in Swansea before the international break; his best display of the season served up a goal and assist. It is not just about making chances and interchangeability though. Klopp came to Liverpool with a reputation as a man who expected his team to press – high and early. There has been a huge clear out at Anfield over the summer with 14 players leaving the club permanently and nine more on loan. Klopp has kept around those who understand his demands and who stay faithful to his desires off the ball. Firmino leads the team from the front figuratively and literally.
“He’s a good teammate for all the other guys,” said Klopp. “He loves working for them.”
For all his neatness and creativity in possession, Firmino is also favored by his coach to be the first man in the press. His characteristics mean he is the best man for the job, not Daniel Sturridge and certainly not Mario Balotelli or Christian Benteke who have left.
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“He is how offensive players should be — kind of selfish — but actually it’s not too important for him if he scores or not,” said Klopp. “If he has an assist, that’s all good. So it makes him a really nice teammate.”
Firmino is by no means an out-and-out striker but then again Liverpool knew that when it signed him. He is a player with no real readily identifiable position. Klopp says of himself that he is currently a coach with no preferred formation. “For me it’s a big pleasure to work with him,” said the manager. One complements the other perfectly.
