Jurgen Klopp has backed Roberto Firmino to have a big impact on Liverpool’s season and has called the forward a ‘fantastic player’.
Firmino struggled during an ineffective opening weekend performance at Fulham and was withdrawn six minutes in the second half, with replacement Darwin Nunez making an immediate impact with a goal and assist at Craven Cottage.
Firmino made just ten league starts for the Reds last season and has been linked with an exit this summer. Juventus have been credited with an interest in signing the forward before the transfer deadline.
Nunez’s arrival from Benfica has further increased the competition for places in Klopp’s forward line, but the German believes that Firmino still has a major role to play in his side’s season.
Speaking ahead of Monday night’s clash with Crystal Palace, Klopp has given his backing to the Brazil international, who has scored 98 goals in 329 appearances across his seven seasons at Anfield.
“Bobby is a fantastic player. He had a good pre-season, not a perfect pre-season but a good one. That’s all that he needed,” Klopp told his pre-match press conference.
“For all the sessions he did and to be able to train as often as he did, he will benefit from that.
“But he has had 200 starts in the Premier League, so not bad.”
