Big match analysis: Roberto Firmino mixes graft with guile for Liverpool

  • Roberto Firmino is much more than just a work horse despite great commitment 
  • His anticipation is brilliant and for a striker he is amazingly unselfish up top  
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold will have gained tremendous experience from the game 
  • Real Madrid will have to be wary of Sadio Mane, who was sensational in Rome 

Liverpool have a Champions League final to look forward to after overcoming Roma in two hectic semi-final legs. 

There were heroes all over the pitch for the Reds with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane producing outstanding displays. 

Sportsmail’s Jamie Redknapp provides big match analysis after another pulsating Champions League night. 

Roberto Firmino set the tempo for Liverpool with his relentless work rate up front 

Classy Firmino mixes graft with guile  

I have never seen a centre forward work as hard to win back the ball as Roberto Firmino. He sets the tempo for this Liverpool team but he is so much more than just a workhorse.

He gets into positions where many centre forwards would go for glory but Firmino is unselfish. In the Champions League this season he has scored 10 but set up another seven.

Firmino’s anticipation is second to none, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to thread the ball to Sadio Mane for Liverpool’s first goal. 

This mixture of graft and guile makes him the perfect forward for Jurgen Klopp. The fact that he has been tied to a five-year contract only highlights his importance.

The Brazilian is the perfect fit for Liverpool and specifically Jurgen Klopp's philosophy

The Brazilian is the perfect fit for Liverpool and specifically Jurgen Klopp’s philosophy

Trent Alexander-Arnold will have gained valuable experience from what was a tricky night for the 19-year-old. 

The right back has been superb this season but Roma set out to target him. Liverpool did not give him enough support — something which they must address with Real Madrid’s lethal left back Marcelo awaiting them in the final.

Trent Alexander-Arnold will have learned plenty after a tough night against Roma 

Trent Alexander-Arnold will have learned plenty after a tough night against Roma 

Magic Mane hits top gear at the perfect time 

When Zinedine Zidane does his team-talk in Kiev, it will not just be Mohamed Salah who the Real Madrid manager will identify as Liverpool’s danger man. 

Sadio Mane was sensational in Rome, always deadly on the ball with his lightning pace. His brilliant first goal put Roma on the back foot and left them staring at a four-goal deficit. 

Having been Liverpool’s star player alongside Philippe Coutinho last season, Mane has not always got the plaudits this year with Salah scoring so many goals. 

On Wednesday night he was more effective than the Egyptian. Mane is hitting top gear at the perfect time for Klopp.

Sadio Mane has hit form at just the right time and will be a huge threat against Real Madrid 

Sadio Mane has hit form at just the right time and will be a huge threat against Real Madrid 

Advertisement



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk