Liverpool: Four takeaways from a 4-2 win over Manchester United

Roberto Firmino makes a statement of his own

Coming into this match, the discourse around Roberto Firmino was not exactly positive. The No. 9 had not scored since Jan. 29 against Spurs, and while everyone knows the former Hoffenheim man offers so much more than goals to Liverpool, it was not out of line to criticize Firmino for not bringing the goods often enough in 2020-2021. As with Sadio Mane, it has been a very tough campaign for Firmino, too.

But he bagged his seventh and eight goals of this difficult season to give Liverpool a vital 3-1 lead. Firmino was very much the difference in the game’s scoreline, finding the back of the net in the 47th minutes of the first and second halves.

Another Man of the Match candidate along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Firmino reminded Premier League fans why he is one of the most important big-game players in European football. When Liverpool need somebody to step up, Firmino is almost always there to make things happen for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

And that’s the statement Firmino made. He reminded people that you can never write him off and that he’ll always put his best foot forward when Liverpool have their backs to the wall.

Beyond the goals, Firmino had two key passes and two fouls drawn.