We look back at five of Roberto Firmino’s most memorable Liverpool moments as he prepares to end an amazing eight-season stay with the club this summer.
The forward leaves Anfield having made 362 appearances, scored 111 goals, winning six trophies, and leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
Here are five of Firmino’s best Liverpool FC moments.
That skill vs. Villarreal
If we attempted to describe all of the vibrant and inventive ways Firmino has used throughout the years, this piece would be hundreds of words long.
There were the no-look goals, the ability to finish with both feet and in the air, his long list of selfless assists and pre-assists, the precise close control, and his assortment of celebrations.
But more often than any other, one trick from Firmino’s first season on Merseyside has been cited as the crux of his magic.
The visitors didn’t seem to be in any danger when the ball was drifting outside the box during Liverpool’s Europa League semifinal matchup against Villarreal at Anfield in May 2016.
He managed to confuse his marker with a quick gaze in one direction, a body swerve in the other, and a quick touch with each foot, though, and quickly flee into space.
Genius
He scored three goals against Arsenal.
The first of Firmino’s two hat-tricks for the Reds came in a 5-1 victory against Arsenal at Anfield in December 2018, serving as the ideal post-Christmas gift.
In the Premier League match, the home team fell behind early on but quickly recovered, with their No. 9 playing a pivotal role in the comeback.
A deft no-look goal followed a close-range tap-in to tie the score, and two minutes later Firmino scored one of his best Liverpool goals.
He moved quickly through the centre of the field, weaving through many challenges and the Gunners’ defense before coolly putting a firm attempt into the bottom corner to give his team the lead.
Midway through the second half, Firmino completed the hat trick by slamming home a penalty kick to further highlight an outstanding individual and team effort and win the game’s MVP.
Champions of the world
2019 was the year Jürgen Klopp’s team transformed development into victories after agonizing close calls in the League Cup, Europa League, Champions League, and Premier League.
A fourth UEFA Super Cup for the Reds was placed in the trophy cabinet alongside the club’s sixth European Cup, which was won in Madrid.
Despite numerous failed attempts to win the Club World Cup, Liverpool has always avoided international triumph.
But Klopp’s team ended that anomaly in December 2019 by defeating CF Monterrey and then Flamengo in the competition final, with Firmino scoring the game-winning goal in both contests.
The championship game against Flamengo was a spirited, scoreless duel that required extra time, where Firmino came up big to win the match.
He was the epitome of composure as he darted forward to receive Sadio Mane’s pass across the Flamengo box in minute 99, stepped inside a defender’s challenge, and scored the game-winning goal for the Reds.
a decisive victory at Wolves
During Liverpool’s unrelenting title-winning season of 2019–20, Firmino displayed an odd peculiarity.
Before the COVID-19 epidemic halted the season, all of his Premier League goals—including a late winner at Crystal Palace, a pair of goals in a 4-0 victory over Leicester City, and the game-winning strike against Tottenham Hotspur—came in away games.
However, his most significant speech may have been the one he made in the closing seconds of an exciting, close game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The hosts threatened to hand Klopp’s team their first league loss of the season after the Reds’ early advantage had been leveled, but that was before Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson fed Firmino in the box.
The Brazilian was given space 12 yards from goal after two exquisite moves, and he finished brilliantly into the top left corner to secure Liverpool’s unstoppable march toward the championship.
A poignant scene at Anfield
Early in March, it was announced that Firmino intended to leave the Reds after the 2022–23 season, and fans didn’t have to wait long to express their devotion.
A few days later, Liverpool thrashed Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield in the Premier League. The No. 9 was inserted during the second half and scored all seven goals.
Firmino was set up by Salah in front of the crowd, took control of the ball, and slid a low finish past the goalie to offer the perfect cap to an exceptional afternoon.
His face was etched with passion as he sprinted off in jubilation while being surrounded by his teammates and hailed by the home crowd.
Liverpool transfer news: This summer, conversations are apparently underway with two potential midfielders, one of whom is a surpisingly well-known name from the Premier League.
