Ian Wright has waxed lyrical about the quality of Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino and urged the club to secure his long-term future at Anfield.
The 26-year-old was instrumental on Tuesday night as the Reds defeated Roma 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League showdown.
Jurgen Klopp’s side travel to Rome next week with a three-goal lead after making the most of their home advantage at Anfield, despite a late collapse which gives the Italians a slim hope.
Brazilian centre-forward Firmino proved his worth with two goals and two assists in the European encounter, as he helped ripped through the Roma backline alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Pundit Wright has hailed the brilliance of Firmino and has warned Liverpool to get his long-term future cemented.
He feels that the Merseyside club would find it almost impossible to replace him and his current deal expires in 2020.
Firmino has proven himself this campaign to be the perfect number nine by linking up play and he now has 27 goals across all competitions.
“His consistency and the way he plays that number nine role, I just think he is fantastic,” Wright said on Sky Sports programme The Debate (10:30pm, Tuesday 24 April).
“He is somebody I believe as well that Liverpool must make sure they sign him up for a long time because when you look at the way he plays in that number nine role, I’m not sure who else could come in and replicate how he plays.
“He is the best I’ve seen at it and I’ve not seen anybody else do it as well as he does.”
OPINION
Salah has taken most of the headlines this season for his sensational campaign, but those who watch Liverpool closely now that Firmino has been just as important to operations. His connection with his attacking teammates has been telepathic at times and demonstrated that once again on the biggest European stage against Roma. There were concerns that he would struggle with the departure of Brazilian compatriot Philippe Coutinho in January, but if anything he has gone the over way. Firmino’s tireless work-rate makes him the perfect attacker for Klopp’s side and there are not many in the same mould in world football.