Carra hails Bobby after Firmino's dazzling display at Saints

Cian Cheesbrough
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Roberto Firmino was Liverpool's key man during a rare start at Southampton
Roberto Firmino was Liverpool's key man during a rare start at Southampton

Jamie Carragher has hailed Roberto Firmino as one of Liverpool’s greatest players of the Jurgen Klopp era after the Brazilian’s impressive display in the win at Southampton.

The Reds' wealth of attacking options has seen the 30-year-old's game time significantly reduced this term after years of being a regular starter under the German boss.

But after being handed a rare chance at St Mary’s — as Klopp made nine changes to last Saturday's FA Cup-winning side — the forward was one of the standout performers as the title chasers came from a goal down to win 2-1 on the South Coast.

The victory ensured Manchester City were made to wait to be crowned Premier League champions, with the thrilling title race now to be decided on a mouth-watering final day.

On Firmino’s performance, ex-Reds defender Carragher said: "I thought he was brilliant.

"He came on at the weekend in the cup final and he wasn't great, actually, in that. You can understand these players not being up to speed sometimes. But in the first 10 to 15 minutes tonight when Liverpool weren't at their best, he and Harvey Elliott were brilliant.

"When you think what he has done for this football club. He wasn't signed by Jurgen Klopp, he was signed by Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool weren't sure what to do with him.

"When you talk of the great players of the Jurgen Klopp era, and go right through the spine of the team, he is right at the top."

Roberto Firmino was at his influential best during Liverpool's comeback win at St Mary's
Roberto Firmino was at his influential best during Liverpool's comeback win at St Mary's

Having fallen behind early on to Nathan Redmond’s deflected strike, fellow fringe star Takumi Minamino slammed home the equaliser before Joel Matip’s looping second-half header secured the all-important victory for the Reds.

With first-team regulars such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold rested, there were admirable displays from the likes of Kostas Tsimikas, Elliott and Curtis Jones as well as Minamino to ensure Liverpool kept their title hopes alive.

And Carragher thinks the tendency for lesser-heralded stars to produce when given a chance is a mark of the winning mentality Klopp has instilled during his seven years at Anfield.

The 2005 Champions League winner added: "There is something that Jurgen Klopp has created and it is not just about how good the first-choice XI is.

"But when you have something special at a club it almost feels at times that you can put any set of players on and they play that way.

"I go back a couple of years when Liverpool beat Everton with almost an under-23s team in the FA Cup. It is almost a mentality that goes right through the club no matter the line-up.

Takumi Minamino struck home Liverpool's equaliser as they eventually beat Southampton 2-1
Takumi Minamino struck home Liverpool's equaliser as they eventually beat Southampton 2-1

"We know they are good players but let's not kid ourselves. The reason they are not the first XI is because they are not as good as those players.

"But what he has created right through this club is the standard that he expects, that spirit, that mentality. He is just an absolute revelation.

"Yes, the players deserve unbelievable credit, but it is all down to that man. Liverpool have a very, very special man at the top of their club."

Liverpool welcome Wolves to Anfield on Sunday knowing anything but a win will likely hand City the title, while they also must rely on Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa to stop Pep Guardiola's men winning at Etihad.

Should they pip the Citizens to the title, it will keep alive the chance of winning an unprecedented Quadruple ahead of the Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 28.

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Premier LeagueLiverpoolRoberto Firmino