Jamie Redknapp gushed over Roberto Firmino by comparing him to a “hyena” during Liverpool’s 2-1 win against Tottenham on Saturday.
The forward scored the Merseyside giants’ second goal as they put Spurs to the sword with a devastating performance full of aggressive pressing and relentless energy.
Redknapp, who was on punditry duty for Sky Sports at Wembley, claimed Firmino embodied a fine performance from Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“Firmino’s like a hyena,” Redknapp said at the 85-minute point of the match on Sky’s live coverage. “He is everywhere, closing down defenders, in their faces, making it hard for them.
“He represents everything that’s good about Liverpool and why they have dominated Spurs here and prevented them from playing.”
OPINION
Hyenas are known more for their shrieking laughs than relentless energy, although you take the point Redknapp is making. Firmino could be compared to any animal who covers endless yards at pace and refuses to let up. Perhaps a pack of wolves is a better analogy for the Liverpool attackers and midfielders, led by Firmino, who make life so difficult for their opponents. The Brazilian was the best of the Merseyside giants’ terrific front three against Tottenham, flying out of the starting blocks and unlucky not to get a goal in the early exchanges. Firmino did grab the goal that his outstanding all-round performance fully deserved with a second-half tap-in but he was less selfish that Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, who sent Jurgen Klopp berserk on the sidelines late on when they chose to go for goal rather than pass to better placed teammates. Firmino, who was subbed after 74 minutes due to an eye injury, can rarely be accused of taking the wrong option.