Jason McAteer has lavished praise on Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino by suggesting that the Brazilian plays a similar role in his team’s attack to that of Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
Firmino has become an invaluable member of Jurgen Klopp’s team over the past few seasons, starring in a False 9 role alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in Liverpool’s free-scoring attack.
The 28-year-old is the least prolific of the trio but has received plenty of plaudits for his selfless and intelligent style of play which creates space for Salah and Mane to roam into.
Despite Salah and Mane’s goalscoring exploits, McAteer suggested that Firmino is the most important forward in Klopp’s side as without him the team lacks its usual cohesion going forward.
‘They [Liverpool] have had some great number nines and Roberto Firmino makes this side tick,’ he told Racing Post. ‘Brendan Rodgers couldn’t work out where to play him when he was first at the club, trying him out on the left.
‘Then Klopp came along with his 4-3-3 system featuring a hard-working midfield and explosive front three. They needed a magician in that attack who pulls everything together and it is similar to how Lionel Messi has played in a Barcelona team set up around him.
‘Firmino is Liverpool’s Messi. When he’s not in the team you can see how detrimental his absence is. He didn’t play the first half in the Uefa Super Cup but came on at the break and instantly made an impact as they created a lot of chances.
‘The system suits Mo Salah and Sadio Mane but it is Firmino who makes it all work – without him, Liverpool are a different animal.’
Firmino has been a virtual ever-present for Liverpool so far this season, featuring in 12 of their 13 matches in all competitions, scoring three goals in the process.
The same cannot be said of Messi at Barcelona as the Argentine has endured an injury-hit start to the campaign which has restricted him to only five appearances.
Messi was in the Barcelona side that were left stunned by Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final last season and he praised Virgil Van Dijk earlier this week.
‘He is a defender that knows how to judge the timing and wait for the right moment to get in or hold on,’ Messi said.
‘He is fast because of its great stride and is impressive, both in defense and attack because he scores many goals.’
