Danny Murphy has claimed Roberto Firmino’s time at Liverpool will ‘never be forgotten’ - but added that the Brazilian can still have a big impact this season.
Firmino starred in Saturday’s 9-0 demolition of Bournemouth with two goals and three assists on the day, putting on a masterclass in his signature false-nine role and dispelling previous claims that the striker is past his best. The scintillating performance took Reds fans straight back to some of the 30-year-old’s best days on Merseyside.
And former Liverpool midfielder Murphy has claimed that, no matter how this season goes for the striker, he will never be forgotten for his role in a side that won the Champions League and Premier League - but the pundit added that his days of influencing games are far from over.
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“I think it gave everyone a reminder of his quality,” Murphy told TalkSPORT . “Last season his confidence dropped a bit with the signings of Jota and Diaz, he started to feel a little bit unloved and he wasn’t quite at it compared to years gone by.
“But what he’s achieved in a Liverpool shirt will never be forgotten. I still think he can have a big impact, and the great thing about Firmino being fit and hungry is that it means you don't have to be as reliant on a young player in Nunez who was a massive amount of money, pressure on his shoulders, they can pick and choose his games if Firmino is at it.
“He’s been with Jurgen Klopp a long time. He’s made that false nine a position that other teams have… it’s been there before, Spain did it with Fabregas and other teams have done it over the years, but not like he’s done it.
“He could still have a huge say in what Liverpool achieve this season and he could be a huge bonus for Jurgen in that he won't have to rely as much on Nunez. I think he can pick and choose.
“He doesn’t get in behind and he doesn't get lots of chances, but he makes Liverpool tick.”
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