Klopp: Roberto Firmino Is A Complete Offensive Player

Standing out among the many excellent individual performances from Liverpool's 4-1 demolition of Manchester City was Roberto Firmino, who earned an assist and his first goal as a Red on Saturday. Fans were over the moon seeing the Brazilian star's slick passing and clever diagonal runs, as well as his link-up with fellow countryman Philippe Coutinho. When the player was brought in from Hoffenheim this summer for the hefty sum of £29m, surely that type of exciting football was what the Liverpool transfer committee had in mind.

Included in his many admirers is his manager, who, while accepting the LG Performance of the Week award, had some kind words to say about his abilities and his style of play.

"Firmino is a complete offensive player. He can play each position. It took him time to move from Hoffenheim - a small development club in Germany - to play at Liverpool.

"[It was] a big difference and he needed to adapt to his new situation, this new pressure.

"I know him very well from Germany so he does not have to show something special to me because I know everything about him and his qualities.

"He's a nice lad. His English is getting better."

Firmino's impressive performance is no surprise to Klopp, who witnessed it first hand when he managed Dortmund while Firmino was at Hoffenheim. In fact, Klopp had previously acknowledged that there was a period last season when Firmino was the best player in the Bundesliga.

As evidenced by the City performance, the front three of Firmino, Coutinho and Adam Lallana are a potent combination that Klopp can confidently call on in the future. This should thrill Liverpool fans who were worried about where the goals would be coming from after having seen the team's top three strikers all experience long injury layoffs over the course of the season. It should also be a comfort to Coutinho, who has been expected to carry the team on his shoulders in the wake of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard's departures, as well as Daniel Sturridge's lengthy absences.

Whether Firmino can continue to build on this performance remains to be seen, but his first opportunity will be Sunday afternoon when Liverpool welcome a struggling Swansea City to Anfield. Firmino will almost certainly start the game, whatever the formation Klopp chooses to employ, and expectations will be high for Liverpool's newest star.