Klopp hails ‘annoying’ Firmino

Klopp hails ‘annoying’ Firmino

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised the work of forward Roberto Firmino, branding the Brazilian ‘a little annoying’ for the opposition to play against.

Firmino scored a brace as Liverpool beat newly promoted Brighton 5-1 on Saturday, and his double meant he now has 11 goals so far this season, one goal short of his total for last season.

Klopp has every reason to praise his forwards so far this season, with the likes of Coutinho, Salah and Mane combining with Firmino to create one of the deadliest attacks in the Premier League.

And the German hasn’t stopped short of applauding Firmino for his efforts so far this season, insisting that he must be annoying to play against.

“Roberto scored twice, but what he did around these goals is what excites me the most, to be honest,” said Klopp.

“In all the counter-attacks, pretty much, he won the ball. By being here, by being a little annoying, a little foot, a little toe, that for us is important. Then the ball is go.

“With all the rest around him, you need to get used to it.

“They are all different and all good. For me, I really like these players. That’s why they are here.”

Klopp also aimed a sly dig at the media, who often claimed his team cannot cope with teams who park the bus.

“Last year, a few of your colleagues (in the media) said we didn’t have a plan for bus parking teams, however you want to say it.

“But now we score five, we score three, we do things like this and it’s all good. It’s development.

“I’m happy with the performance, of course. But to be honest, I don’t think it was world class or anything like this. It was doing the job.”
[Quotes via Mirror]