Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp hails ‘unique’ talent of Roberto Firmino after hat-trick of assists

Firmino has 10 goals and 12 assists this season playing in a withdrawn No9 role

Roberto Firmino has become integral to Liverpool's football (Getty)

Jurgen Klopp has hailed Roberto Firmino as a “unique” talent following the Brazilian forward’s virtuoso performance against Southampton on Saturday.

Firmino racked up three assists in the 4-0 win, teeing up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah as the Reds motored into a 22-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

“He is [unique],” said Klopp. “He is just exceptional, a very football-smart person, obviously. In the first half, in between a really tight formation of Southampton, the way he drops and keeps the ball, how he makes things happen is very special, absolutely.

“Then even a player like Bobby needs an address where he can send the ball, because he cannot take the ball and turn and run alone. How he uses the skills of his mates is special. I do not know a player like him, that is true.”

Firmino has 10 goals and 12 assists this season playing in a withdrawn No9 role which has seen him become the focal point of much of Liverpool’s attacking play, as the club push to the verge of their first top-flight title in 30 years.

“It is not about closing the book of the season after a day like Saturday and thinking it is done. It is not done. It is all about showing the respect for the opposition with the attitude,” said the manager, who reserved special praise for his captain, Jordan Henderson.

“Hendo is one example. There are plenty of others. But did he look like the captain of a team that is 19 points ahead? Not for a second. It looked like if we lose we are relegated. That is how the boys were. That is the only way for us to win a game. It is always the same.”