Roberto Firmino statistical analysis: Liverpool's Brazilian more than just a striker as Richard Jolly unearths some amazing stats

Liverpool suffered a series of defeats before football was suspended around Europe. There was Atletico Madrid and Watford, Chelsea and Atletico. Last but certainly not least, there was Jurgen Klopp’s loss at Ludo to an Everton fan, Joe.

But in the middle of it, Klopp produced perhaps the best definition of Roberto Firmino. Liverpool’s Brazilian can be called a centre-forward, a false nine, a No. 10 and the leader of the press. At varying points, he is all, but none fully encapsulates his importance and contribution. Klopp called him “the connector.”

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Firmino has become Liverpool’s ultimate link-up man, the player who connects midfield to attack, Mohamed Salah to Sadio Mane. There is no forward who is more integral to the game as a whole or more involved throughout. He cannot be judged solely by his goal tally, and certainly not at Anfield. Firmino is three goals behind Chris Wood in the scorers’ charts and still one adrift of Lewis Dunk and Jetro Willems in terms of league strikes at Liverpool’s home.

Firmino always involved