<
>

Roberto Firmino: Jurgen Klopp and comfort reasons for impressive form

Roberto Firmino has said his impressive start to the season is down to the influence of manager Jurgen Klopp and becoming more comfortable in his surroundings.

Firmino is on course to produce his best goal scoring tally as a Liverpool player, having struck seven times in all competitions. He got 12 goals in all competitions in 2016-17.

The Brazil international, who mainly leads the Liverpool front line from a "false No. 9" position, said he expected the goals to continue in his third season since arriving from Hoffenheim.

"It's hard to say one specific reason for this good momentum," Firmino told Brazilian media.

"I'm starting my third season for Liverpool and, year after year, I'm getting more comfortable here, feeling like home, and that's very positive for me.

"Also, having the opportunity to work with Jurgen Klopp has been very positive for my development. He is a manager that is very demanding, but has a lot of experience and knows everything there is about football.

"Klopp is a fantastic person. He has that crazy way of celebrating our goals and is a very frantic, but he's an amazing guy.

"Liverpool hit the bullseye when they hired him, and the fact that the club is growing year after year has a lot to do with him.

"I believe that the manager has to find the best position for every player in the team.

"We have a lot of players that like to play on the wings, like [Sadio] Mane and [Mohamed] Salah, and sometimes [Philippe] Coutinho. Jurgen Klopp has been using this formation often and it's working fine.

"I expect that the goals keep flourishing and that Liverpool keep winning."

Meanwhile, Klopp has said Liverpool were the "right" club for him in 2015 and added that he turned down an offer from another English side.

"Why Liverpool?" he said at a charity event in South Africa. "I had an offer off another historical English club two years ago, but I never felt comfortable with how they understood football.

"It didn't feel right. When Liverpool called, I can't explain it. It was right."