Klopp contradictory in praise of Liverpool star Firmino

Will Ford
Liverpool Firmino

Jurgen Klopp says he was never worried by Roberto Firmino’s lack of goals after he headed Liverpool to a 2-1 win over Tottenham.

Mohamed Salah’s opener was cancelled out by Son Heung-min in the first half, before Firmino won the game with a brilliant late header.

It was just the Brazilian’s third goal of a season in which his place in Liverpool’s side has been questioned.


16 Conclusions: Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham


But not by Klopp, who hailed Firmino’s all-round game but also appeared to contradict himself.

The Liverpool boss said the team scoring goals is “the only thing that matters”, before explaining the importance of “the way” in which the goals are scored.

“I just hope he never doubts himself, there is so much talk about it but I just said ‘Bobby, you’ve scored’,” Klopp said.

“He scores goals and important ones for us. And it is not so much about who scores them because for us, the only thing that matters is the ball in the back of the net.

“For us it is about the way, how we get there, things like crossing, passing, finishing. But making runs to open up the gaps, they don’t all see that.

“I understand that but I am not surprised that Bobby scores goals. I am happy that he scored tonight because it was very important for him as well but more for us.

“So, just, let’s keep going.”