Former Liverpool star Emile Heskey has explained why Roberto Firmino doesn’t need to score goals, as he ‘gels’ Jurgen Klopp’s team together.
The Brazil international is often the unsung hero, with his hard work and link-up play a vital cog in the Reds’ finely tuned system.
The 28-year-old has found the back of the net just eight Premier League times in 29 appearances this season, but ex-England striker Heskey admitted he adds much more than goals to the side.
He told 90Min: ‘I just think everything gels properly when he’s playing. He’s not necessarily worried about ‘this is my job and I need to do this’.
‘You see him chasing back and tackling, you see him playing left wing and chase the guy up and down the wing. Then you’ll see him up front, getting the ball and holding it up and bringing someone in.
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‘It’s just a different variety of stuff that he does, he’s not just focused on “I must score goals”.
‘I’m a forward, so I look at the runs he’s making, the space he’s creating. He seems to get space where nobody gets space.
‘He creates his space, his first touch is brilliant because he takes it away from players, so he can have time to look around and assess what he’s got to do next. He’s great at that.’
Firmino’s work off the ball and deep positioning opens up space for forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane behind opposition defences.
Jurgen Klopp’s two talismans have scored a combined 30 of Liverpool’s 66 Premier League goals this season.
The Reds are just two wins away from claiming their first league title in over 30 years, but there is no set date for when the action will recommence due to the coronavirus pandemic.
MORE: Nuri Sahin reveals Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s ‘special’ quality
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