Roberto Firmino wants to establish himself as one of Europe’s top strikers with Liverpool in the Champions League

Firmino has gone quietly about becoming a key cog in Liverpool's team

Firmino has scored 20 goals this season already (Getty)

Roberto Firmino intends to build on his excellent start to life in the Champions League and establish himself as one of European football's premier strikers with Liverpool this season.

The in-form Brazilian's six goals in this year's Champions League group stage meant that at the start of the last-16 stage, he was keeping pace with the likes of Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Harry Kane in the scoring charts.

Ahead of the first knockout stage games on Tuesday night, only Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo had scored more than Firmino in the competition and he wants to remain in the company of Europe's top forwards as the current campaign progresses.

“Of course I want to be at their level but I only focus on playing a good game,” he said ahead of Liverpool's meeting with Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday night, the first leg of their last-16 tie.

“If I play a good game then the goals will appear. I am trying to give my maximum for the team and trying to be alongside these great players in Europe.”

Firmino also has Mohamed Salah for competition, with five of the free-scoring winger's many goals so far this term scored in Europe.

Tuesday night could see Salah become the 13th player in Liverpool's history to score 30 goals in a single season and after sublimely setting up the 29th in Sunday's 2-0 win at Southampton, Firmino is eager to help his team-mate pass the milestone.

“I'm going to do what I can to help him score goals and to help all the team. I also want to help myself to make a good season,” the Brazilian said.

“Porto are an excellent team with a good tradition in the Champions League. It is going to be a tough game and we will have to be at our best tomorrow.”