Reds have their task cut out

Liverpool, March 5: Mohamed Salah has scored more goals, Sadio Mane may have more explosive pace, but Roberto Firmino is the glue that knits together a devastating Liverpool front three that is fast making the five-time European champions feared on the continent once more.

Liverpool go into Tuesday’s Champions League Last 16, second leg at home to Porto with the job already done having inflicted the Portuguese giants’ worst-ever home European defeat in a 5-0 rout three weeks ago.

All of Liverpool’s freescoring forward trio were on target that night, as they have been for most of the season.

Their combined tally now stands at 68, with Firmino’s 22 already by a distance his best return for a single campaign since joining from Hoffenheim in 2015.

However, the Brazilian is much more than a striker who just scores goals. His pass for Mane to seal a 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday was also his 13th assist of the season.

“Mo Salah, world class, but not every day. Sadio Mane, world class, but not every day. Roberto Firmino, world class, pretty much every day,” Klopp told newspaper the Mail on Sunday recently.

It isn't surprising to hear the highest of praise from his German coach as Firmino is the embodiment of what Klopp wants from his side.

His seemingly tireless energy reserves press and pull defenders out of their comfort zone to make the spaces for Mane and Salah to shine, and yet he still maintains a calm head when needed in front of goal himself.

“Yes, you’ve got Salah and Mane, but Firmino’s hold-up play and work off the ball makes him one of the best attacking players in the Premier League,” Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports.