Jurgen Klopp praised Roberto Firmino’s 20-minute performance in his final game at Anfield today
The day belonged to Firmino, who made his final appearance in front of the adoring Liverpool fans. Thankfully, Bobby did not disappoint, scoring his game-winning goal in the 89th minute at the Kop end.
After the game, Klopp told Sky Sports that Firmino and fellow departing player James Milner demonstrated exactly what they’ll bring to whoever is lucky enough to sign them.
“I think both boys who played today – Milly and Bobby – showed in 20 odd minutes, who they are, why we love them, and what everybody else can expect when they get them,” gushed the Liverpool manager. “The fire, mentality, and desire that Milly instills is unrivaled.” Bobby comes on and is just a great footballer between the lines, and he’s also there to finish the situation off. They will be missed.
“However, like most good stories, there is a beginning, a middle, and an end.” This story is now finished, not forever, but the football part of it is, and we have the opportunity to write a new one. Somewhere, the boys
Firmino shows up for one last time.
It’s a shame Liverpool couldn’t celebrate Firmino’s final home game with a victory this afternoon. In reality, they did not deserve to win the game against Villa.
They were sluggish from the start and were fortunate not to be two goals down by halftime.
However, the introduction of Firmino with 18 minutes remaining signaled a slight shift in strategy. Liverpool fans roared their team forward as their legendary No.9 took the field for the final time.
The goal had to come, and it came via our Bobby’s flicked right boot.
Unfortunately, because Liverpool needed to push for a winner, we didn’t get to see one final trademark Firmino celebration in front of the Kop.
But we did see glimpses of how the £29 million man will light up wherever he lands next.
He will not score as many goals as he did for Liverpool at his next club, that is a given. He will, however, provide them with something that few players in the world can.
Firmino’s ability to sniff out space on the football field is unteachable. You simply won’t find a better player between the lines, according to Klopp.
So, yes, Bobby – and Milner – demonstrated why we adore them in their final appearance on Anfield’s hallowed turf. They’ve barely stopped showing it for the last eight years.
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