Jurgen Klopp admitted to BBC Sport after Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0 on Wednesday night that Roberto Firmino had left him feeling ‘a bit nervy’ the Brazilian could earn a red card.
The Reds ran out comfortable victors at the Emirates Stadium in the end after second-half goals from Diogo Jota and Firmino. Arsenal had enjoyed the better of Liverpool during the opening period, but Mikel Arteta’s side could not find a way to break through Klopp’s men.
Jota then punished the Gunners after 54 minutes by firing home at Aaron Ramsdale’s near post. Alisson had just kept the Anfield side level moments earlier after Alexandre Lacazette seized on Thiago Alcantara’s loose back pass. But Martin Odegaard could not find a finish.
Despite scoring, Klopp removed Jota to introduce Firmino, and the Liverpool ace stretched his stellar record against Arsenal. As Andrew Robertson drilled a low cross to the near post after charging down Bukayo Saka’s clearance, the Brazilian darted in to flick intelligently in.
The 30-year-old now has five goals in 16 Premier League games so far this season. Firmino has also now hit nine goals over 16 meetings with Arsenal across all competitions – he has not scored more against any other side in the £29m former Hoffenheim forward’s career.
Jurgen Klopp admits Roberto Firmino left him ‘a bit nervy’ in Liverpool win
Klopp was delighted for Firmino to score and help Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0 in midweek. But the Reds boss concedes the Brazilian also left him feeling anxious over the final stages, after earning a yellow after mixing with the Merseysiders’ travelling fans while celebrating.
“Really happy for [Firmino],” Klopp said. “Unfortunately, he got a yellow card for celebrating and there were so many tackles that I was like ‘omg’, and it was a bit nervy! But I understand why he did it.”
Firmino is yet to earn a red card or second yellow throughout his Liverpool career over 317 games in all competitions. He had also not scored in the Premier League since firing a hat-trick at Watford in October. The striker went nine games without scoring between injuries.
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