Garth Crooks comments on Roberto Firmino’s performance for Liverpool against Manchester City

Follow us on Google Discover

Liverpool forward led the line effectively in big win over Manchester City.

Liverpool produced a memorable performance to end Manchester City’s unbeaten Premier League record.

The 4-3 win demonstrated their potency even without £142 million star Philippe Coutinho, who was sold to Barcelona.

BBC pundit Garth Crooks hailed Roberto Firmino’s performance, suggesting he has lifted his game in the absence of his fellow Brazilian.

He said: “Roberto Firmino would have been devastated to see Coutinho leave Liverpool for Barcelona, and said as much. But you wouldn’t have known it looking at his performance against Manchester City.

“In fact I think I saw the Brazilian assume far more responsibility in the absence of his former team-mate than I have seen before.”

Crooks named Firmino in his ‘Team of the Week’, with the forward scoring once and winning the ball back for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s opener.

The pundit also named Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane in his Team of the Week for BBC Sport, claiming that the former Arsenal talent outclassed Kevin de Bruyne.

Liverpool’s attack did not miss a beat without Coutinho, although goalkeeper continues to be a position of worry.

Record signing Virgil van Dijk missed the game after sustaining an injury in the lead up to the fixture.