He may not score as many goals as Mohamed Salah or be as skillful as Sadio Mane, but Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has proven time and time again this season that he is of vital importance to Jurgen Klopp.
The thing is, he is more than just a forward. Firmino brings a more defensive mindset to the table.
He is a vital cog in Klopp's gegenpressing system.
In fact, the Brazilian has won more tackles than Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi this campaign, which is mind blowing when you think about it.
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Just look at his overall heat map for the 2017/18 season. He's bloody everywhere.
Firmino has been sensational in the Premier League this season, but his performances in the Champions League are equally as impressive.
He is the club's all time record goalscorer in the Champions League in a single campaign for the reds. Ruthless.
The stats speak for themselves. Firmino has lived under the shadows of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane this season, but in reality he may just be the most important player in the Liverpool squad, if you look at the following stats:
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- Roberto Firmino (62) has won more tackles than Shkodran Mustafi (61) in the Premier League this season.
- In the history of football, he is the first player to create 50+ chances and complete 60+ tackles in a single season.
- He has made more tackles then any defender from the top six Premier League clubs this season (except for Cesar Azpilicueta)
- Firmino is Liverpool's all time record goalscorer in the Champions League in a single campaign.
- The 26-year-old is having the best goalscoring season by a Brazilian in the Premier League, ever.
Roberto Firmino - the most underrated player in world football right now?
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Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit:Topics:Β Liverpool, Football News, Football, Roberto Firmino, Premier League
