Jurgen Klopp has frequently spoken of his admiration for former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino - whom ex Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised
Jurgen Klopp was a huge admirer of Roberto Firmino - who left Liverpool in May
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino was the opposition player who caused him the most problems during his time as Manchester United boss.
Those comments will have resonated with Jurgen Klopp, who arrived at Anfield just months after Firmino joined from Hoffenheim – signed by Brendan Rodgers – and under whose management the Brazilian blossomed into a Liverpool legend.
Firmino established himself as a club icon at Anfield across his eight seasons at the club, with his attitude and selflessness in that time summed up by how he once sacrificed a lucrative goal bonus in order to ensure his teammate scored a goal.
Having joined in 2015, Firmino bagged 111 goals in 362 Liverpool appearances – forming a fearsome front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The arrivals of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo in recent times have ushered in a period of transition at Anfield, with Firmino departing as a free agent this summer.
Solskjaer recalled a painful memory – the five-goal loss at home to Liverpool in the closing stages of his tenure in the Old Trafford dugout, in which Salah scored a hat-trick. However, it was another of the Reds attacking trio who the United boss believed caused the most problems for his side over the years.
“In my last season, we played Liverpool at home,” Solskjaer recalled to The Athletic. “I felt the players were ready for it, just like I’d felt they were ready when we’d gone to City and won. We could have sat back and countered but my decision was to go for it. We lost 5-0. It was 50/50, more or less, in possession and chances at half-time, yet we were 4-0 down.
“I made the wrong decision and that was my lowest point as United manager by a mile. Roberto Firmino was probably the opposition player who caused me the most problems as a manager. The 6-1 defeat at home to Spurs was different and affected by a sending-off.”
Have Your Say! Where does Firmino rank among Liverpool’s greatest forward this century ?Tell us what you think here. **_
_ **
Firmino scored over 100 goals for Liverpool under Klopp’s management (
Image:
Getty Images)
All the way back in 2018, Klopp heaped praise on the footballing intelligence of the Brazilian, who would play an iconic role in Liverpool’s forward trio when they captured the 2019/20 Premier League title: “Mo Salah, world class, but not every day,” Klopp said. “Sadio Mane, world class, but not every day. Roberto Firmino, world class, pretty much every day.”
Ahead of Firmino leaving the club in May, Klopp told the Brazilian : “You are so football smart, in training sessions you are the first to get [understand] the exercise. It’s like you saw it once: ‘Ah, okay, go for it’.”
Klopp continued, with his words greeted by a beaming smile by Firmino. “It’s really special and it makes you the player you are, with all the technical stuff, but your football brain is incredible. That’s all good and makes you the player you are.”
_Join our new WhatsApp community! Clickthis link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. _
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Watch the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and much more
TNT Sports gives you access to games across the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Serie A and many more. You can also watch the biggest clashes in boxing, UFC, WWE and the get exclusive action from MLB all for one payment every month. You can watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
£29.99 a month and get access to discovery+ Premium at no extra cost
TNT Sports
