5 Brendan Rodgers signings who have thrived under Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp inherited some world class players from the squad Brendan Rodgers left him
Jurgen Klopp inherited some world class players from the squad Brendan Rodgers left him

#1 Roberto Firmino

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Firmino is arguably the most important player of Jurgen Klopp's system
Firmino is arguably the most important player of Jurgen Klopp's system

There was never any doubt about who would be number one on this list.

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Two of Liverpool’s dangerous front three were signed by Jurgen Klopp but arguably the most important one and if I dare say so - Jurgen Klopp’s personal favourite, Roberto Firmino, was signed by Brendan Rodgers.

Firmino was written off early in his Liverpool career and labeled a flop by the media early in his Liverpool career but the arrival of Jurgen Klopp unleashed his true potential. In fact, he has improved massively as each season passes.

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The Brazilian played a variety of roles in 2015/16 scoring 11 goals and assisting 10 across all competitions. However, at the start of the 2016/17 season, Klopp deployed Firmino as a striker in Liverpool’s front three and he started to wreak havoc!

Firmino’s work rate and technical brilliance made him a forward like no other. He often drops deep, draws the center-backs out of positions and creates space between the full-backs and the center-backs for the wingers to exploit.

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His importance and effectiveness cannot be summed up by looking at the number of goals or assists he provides. Quite often, he wins the ball back high up the pitch with the opposition caught off guard and this helps Liverpool create a dangerous counter-attacking situation.

He ended the 2016/17 season with 12 goals and 8 assists in all competitions which were not a huge improvement from his numbers in his debut season. However, the arrival of Mohamed Salah saw a huge rise in the numbers of both players.

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Salah’s pace and constant forward runs started to yield more results because of the space Firmino creates for him. They also formed an incredible understanding with each other.

Firmino currently has 27 goals and 16 assists to his name in all competitions this season! He has 10 goals in the Champions League (excluding the playoff) which is the most any player has scored for Liverpool in a single Champions League campaign.

To underline how highly Jurgen Klopp rates Roberto Firmino, read this comment made by the German this season:

"Mo Salah, world class, but not every day. Sadio Mane, world class, but not every day. Roberto Firmino, world class, pretty much every day,"

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Edited by Arvind Sriram
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