John Arne Riise was in awe of Roberto Firmino after the forward helped his Liverpool side beat Chelsea to win the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.
The former Reds’ defender praised the Brazilian international for his work rate and importance to Jurgen Klopp’s side, after the forward came on at half-time and instantly changed the game.
Arne Riise took to his personal Twitter account to praise Firmino and the impact he had on the game.
“How important Firmino is to the team is crazy! His work-rate is phenomenal. Big fan,” Riise said.
How important Firmino is to the team is crazy!! His work rate is phenomenal ????Big fan
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) August 14, 2019
Firmino came on when Liverpool were one goal down against Chelsea and helped turn the game on its head by assisting Sadio Mane to equalise.
OPINION
Arne Riise is right, and Wednesday night’s game more than proved that. At half-time Chelsea were in control, their midfield was in total command in the middle of the park, and although Liverpool created chances, they couldn’t take the game by the scruff of the neck like they usually do. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was shoehorned into the forward three, and once Firmino entered his familiar central role, the game instantly changed. Both Mane and Mohamed Salah came to life, with the interchanging of possession between the three creating much more chances than the first-half. Although Firmino may not score as many as his fellow two forwards, his influence is undeniable, with his calmness in possession and ability to turn a game on its head two key attributes to Klopp’s side. Firmino is the perfect player to sit inbetween the prolific front-three, and Klopp will no doubt hesitate to make changes further down the line after his omission really proved to be a poor move on Wednesday.
