Roberto Firmino has praised the role that Jurgen Klopp has played for him at Liverpool.
In quotes from the Liverpool Echo, Firmino spoke about his first impressions of Klopp whilst the pair were both involved in German football.
Whenever we came up against Dortmund, Jurgen would routinely be in the middle of the pitch closely observing opposition players warm up. I’d look at him and think: what’s going on, is he trying to intimidate us? I found it interesting and it was always great to come up against that Dortmund team,” said the Brazilian.
Firmino spent four years at Hoffenheim, which coincided with the second of Klopp’s consecutive titles with Dortmund. Their paths then crossed at Liverpool, where manager turned player into one of the most unique we’ve ever seen at Liverpool.
It’s fair to say that Bobby appreciates his manager’s role in his success at Anfield.
Whenever we came up against Dortmund, Jurgen would routinely be in the middle of the pitch closely observing opposition players warm up. I’d look at him and think: what’s going on, is he trying to intimidate us? I found it interesting and it was always great to come up against that Dortmund team,” said the Brazilian.
Firmino spent four years at Hoffenheim, which coincided with the second of Klopp’s consecutive titles with Dortmund. Their paths then crossed at Liverpool, where manager turned player into one of the most unique we’ve ever seen at Liverpool.
It’s fair to say that Bobby appreciates his manager’s role in his success at Anfield.
Firmino has praised
Having him with us today is amazing. He never stops giving me advice. He’s a massive father figure for me here at Liverpool. I’m so grateful to play under and be coached by a great leader. I thank him for everything I’ve learned. I will always be highly complimentary for everything he’s done for me and also the club,” gushed the 30-year-old.
Klopp and Firmino a match made in heaven
Firmino is absolutely right to laud Klopp for turning his career at Liverpool around. After arriving for almost £30m in 2015, Brendan Rodgers simply couldn’t work out what to do with him.
Looking back, that’s hardly a surprise. Rodgers reportedly wasn’t interested in bringing Firmino to the club, instead focusing his sights on Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke.
Instead, Bobby’s arrival was thanks to the fabled ‘transfer committee’ at Liverpool. What a great decision that turned out to be.
Early into his time on Merseyside though, it didn’t look like being that way. Firmino struggled when asked to play out wide and looked to be a little out of his depth with the physicality of the league.
Enter Jurgen Klopp.
It still took a little time. But before long, Klopp had worked out exactly what to do with his Brazilian conundrum.
Since the manager worked out that Firmino is at his best when leading the line, whilst simultaneously not leading the line, Liverpool have won the lot.
He still has his detractors, but when Firmino leaves Liverpool he will do so as a club legend. Without Klopp, that may not have happened. But without Firmino, perhaps Klopp wouldn’t have been quite so successful either.
