Firmino steps out of Coutinho’s shadow

ROBERTO FIRMINO is ready to make Porto ‘suffer’ as he maintains his personal crusade to be bracketed alongside Europe’s elite strikers. When Liverpool sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona last month, Jurgen Klopp challenged his squad to show that the departed Brazilian was not irreplaceable and Firmino has been one of the keenest to respond, scoring four times in the six matches since that £146million deal. His figures in the Champions League, though, are more impressive. Firmino’s six goals in the group stage were beaten only by Cristiano Ronaldo’s nine for Real Madrid. Mohamed Salah may have commandeered headlines at Anfield this season but Firmino’s importance to Liverpool cannot be overstated. Given how those two have been working in tandem, defender Dejan Lovren said last week that teams would be afraid of trying to contain Salah and Firmino and Liverpool’s No 9 has Portugal’s league leaders in his sights. ‘I don’t know if Porto are going to be afraid but we are going to make their life difficult and make them suffer,’ said Firmino (right), whose tally for the season stands at 20. ‘Porto are an excellent side with a good tradition in the Champions League. It is going to be a tough game and we will have to be at our best. ‘Coutinho is a great player and of course when he left that put a greater responsibility on everyone else to perform without him. But it is our job to deal with greater responsibility and I think we have done that so far. ‘If I play a good game then the goals will appear. I am trying to give my maximum for the team and trying to be alongside these great players in Europe.’ In Jurgen Klopp’s mind, Firmino is already there. The 26-year-old has flourished under the German’s guidance, with his hyperactive pressing and persistence crucial to keeping Liverpool on the front foot. ‘When I came in I said immediately I was happy he was here,’ said Klopp. ‘I don’t think he’s stepped up but maybe it’s more obvious as his situations are not overshadowed by Phil Coutinho. ‘He’s a very important player and doesn’t always have to be the standout. As often as he can be, that’s good.’ The manager was noticeably enlivened as he went through his paces at the Dragao Stadium, with the prospect of going deep into the competition capturing his imagination. Liverpool are favourites to reach the last eight for the first time since 2009 and dark horses to make it to the final in Kiev on May 26. ‘Probably the strongest team in Europe at the minute are Manchester City,’ said Klopp. ‘We’ve played them twice and that’s highest level. ‘PSG is a little bit different but I don’t look at them, I only know it already that if we meet them we could beat them. ‘That’s how it is but it’s not important now. First we have a nice hill to go over. We have been waiting for this moment.’