Klopp Talk: Bobby Plays Twelve Instruments

Goals have never been the main unit of measurement to rate Roberto Firmino’s game by, but Bobby’s form this year has had had even the most dedicated of Liverpool FC fans a little concerned. Thankfully, Bobby nabbed a well-deserved goal in an all-action performance against Leicester City, and he could have very well had more. Diogo Jota’s red-hot form may have certainly played a part in the calls from the media for Bobby to be dropped... but ahead of the 2nd Champions League group fixture against Atalanta, Jürgen Klopp was having none of it:

Scoring was always important for Bobby but Bobby is a complete footballer. A football team is like an orchestra, you have different people for different instruments, and some of them are louder than others, but they are all important for the rhythm.

Bobby plays like 12 instruments in our orchestra. He’s very important for our rhythm. We can play well without him as well, but I certainly want him on the pitch and if you look at the numbers, I like it a lot having him on the pitch.

I’m not concerned about anything with Bobby, but I know from time to time it happens that he scores a goal. This goal was very important, and what I loved most was the reaction of the boys. You saw the celebration, it was really emotional.

It’s clear that our gaffer understands the crucial role that Bobby plays beyond scoring - whether it’s linking midfield to attack, and defending from the front. The track record backs it up: Firmino has featured in every single one of Liverpool’s 53 European matches under Klopp, save for one match he missed through injury - the second leg semi-final comeback against Barcelona in 2019.