Roberto Firmino's time as a Liverpool first-team regular looked to be coming to an end — but he is reminding everyone of his qualities after a blistering start to the season.

The Brazilian forward, 31, was expected to be pushed down the pecking order by the arrival of big-money signing Darwin Nunez.

However, Firmino has shone, despite the Reds' collective struggles this campaign.

Ahead of Liverpool's crunch clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal this afternoon, we take a look at the impact that their No9 is having in 2022-23.

No Nunez? No problem

The summer arrival of Nunez did not bode well for Firmino's prospective game time this term.

The Maceio native's contract expires at the end of the season and his new £85million competitor is eight years his junior.

However, Nunez was sent off in just his second Premier League appearance, opening the door for Firmino to take centre stage.

The Uruguayan has managed just one league goal this season and has failed to live up to expectations thus far — but Firmino's fine form has helped mitigate Nunez's slow start to life on Merseyside.

Jota competition

Nunez is not Firmino's only competition for Liverpool's centre-forward berth, though.

Diogo Jota, 25, had already seized the 55-cap international's regular starting spot up front last season, making 35 Premier League appearances and scoring 15 goals.

However, the Portugal forward has struggled with injury issues at the start of the current campaign and is only now returning to fitness.

He is now back in action and was operated just behind Nunez in Liverpool's last outing — a 2-0 win over Rangers in the Champions League — in which Jurgen Klopp utilised a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Heart and soul

Klopp insisted towards the end of pre-season that Firmino remained a key part of the Liverpool squad — despite increased competition for places and doubts over the attacker's game time.

He said: "Bobby is crucial for us, the heart and soul of this team. The way we played in the last years was only possible because of Bobby.

"That's why I'm really happy he was able to train for the majority of the time here in pre-season so far. Everything looks really good so I am absolutely fine.

"There is no doubt about Bobby's quality."

Firmino on fire

Despite playing just 420 Premier League minutes so far this season, Firmino has been remarkably productive in front of goal.

He is Liverpool's top scorer in the competition on five strikes, with only three players in the division scoring more.

Additionally, Firmino has hit the target with 12 shots — a team-leading total.

Just five other top tier players can better that tally, demonstrating the experienced forward's decisiveness this term.

Selfless Firmino

Firmino does not only top Liverpool's goalscoring charts in the Premier League — he is their most prolific provider too.

His three assists rank behind only Bukayo Saka, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne across the division.

In the face of real competition for his place, Firmino has produced some of his best attacking numbers in a Liverpool shirt.

Klopp now faces a difficult decision — who should start against table-topping Arsenal?