Roberto Firmino has been speaking to Liverpool as part of a Football Firsts feature, in which he revealed a number of interesting things.
The £180,000-a-week forward shared his first goal celebration, his first nickname, and also his first chat with Jürgen Klopp.
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What’s the story?
Well, Firmino seems to adore the German, as he spoke very highly of the 54-year-old.
The Brazil international said: “That’s difficult! I remember we exchanged messages and in person it was when he arrived here at Liverpool. I told him how happy I was that he’d come here and here I am today, very happy alongside him. His arrival here changed everything.
“We really clicked and got on great immediately. I knew him already from playing against him in Germany. I knew him, he knew me. I grew and developed a lot here thanks to him.”
As Firmino states, they both experienced life in the Bundesliga, which was a key factor in the pair’s relationship flourishing.
Klopp already knew what type of player the South American was, and how best to use him, and the proof is in the pudding.
Since the former Borussia Dortmund boss arrived at Anfield, Firmino has been among Liverpool’s best players, and has also written himself into the club’s folklore with his silverware-winning displays.
Jürgen Klopp may have saved Roberto Firmino at Liverpool
In our view, Klopp saved Firmino’s Liverpool career.
According to The Athletic, Brendan Rodgers didn’t even want the 30-year-old, and instead preferred Christian Benteke.
The Reds eventually signed both, but the £29m purchase of Firmino was more to do with Michael Edwards than it was Rodgers.
In seven appearances under the Northern Irishman – mainly on the right wing – Firmino failed to score or assist a goal as he struggled to adapt.
Contrastingly, under Klopp – who saw his potential as a false nine – the Brazilian has scored 96 goals in 311 appearances, while also providing 73 assists.
Clearly, Klopp had a huge impact on Firmino, to say the least.
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