Freddie Ljungberg has shared that a player of Roberto Firmino’s talent ‘should never be underrated’, as he bigged up the player during Liverpool’s 7-1 thrashing of Rangers in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Arsenal legend dismissed any negative talk that has been spoken about the player in recent seasons and shared that he has been ‘on fire’ for the Reds this term, as he told CBS Sports Champions League Goals Show (12/10/22 at 9:20 pm).
The 31-year-old scored twice and supplied one assist at Ibrox last night to continue his fine start to the campaign, despite Liverpool’s indifferent performances.
Despite going 1-0 down to the Gers, it was their versatile Brazil superstar who levelled the scores less than ten minutes after Scott Arfield’s opener, before putting away a brilliant Joe Gomez cross in the second half.
It was another fine attacking and technical display from Liverpool’s £29 million man (BBC Sport), who will now be looking to keep his place in the XI ahead of his side’s heavyweight clash against Manchester City on Sunday.
Nonetheless, during his playing days, Ljungberg was a player that was very easy on the eye and someone who could produce absolute magic with the ball at his feet. And the former Sweden international is loving what he is seeing from Firmino, despite what has been said about him.
“That shows what a quality player he is,” said Ljungberg. “I am very, very happy for him this season. Liverpool have had their troubles this season, but Firmino has been on fire.
“I do love Firmino, I don’t care what people have been saying in this country in the last season or so. That technique to do that pass and the finish, it’s very nice.
“But the technique and how he plays football Firmino, it should never be underrated.”
FIRMINO ROARING BACK
Even with the departure of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich in the summer, it still could have been argued that, at the start of the season, Firmino wouldn’t have been in Liverpool’s strongest XI.
Luis Diaz was shining out on the left, Darwin Nunez was the new big-money addition up front, whilst no-one is going to dethrone Mo Salah from the right, despite his previously off-colour form.
Then there is Diogo Jota, who can also play across the front three, and found his game time limited towards the back end of last season, which wasn’t helped by injuries.
But fast forward to the present and Firmino can now argue he is perhaps the first name on the teamsheet because his performances have been outstanding – he has eight goals and four assists from 12 games in all competitions this season.
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