Roberto Firmino has seen his “annoying” qualities saluted by Liverpool team-mate Joe Gomez, with the Brazilian forward a nightmare to play against.

The 26-year-old is currently enjoying the most productive season of his career, with a new personal best goal return of 23 set in 2017-18.

He has also contributed 10 assists across Premier League and Champions League competition, helping to keep the Reds in contention for a top-four finish domestically and safely through to the quarter-final stage in Europe.

Firmino has added end product to the tireless running which has made him a firm favourite of the Liverpool support and his manager Jurgen Klopp.
Gomez admits that he is relieved to be on the same side as the hard-working South American, telling the Reds’ official website of a man who likes to make himself a nuisance to opponents: “The only thing you can do is hope you get a foul.

“He’s going to make an attempt to get the ball back. It’s annoying because he won’t let it go. It’s nice to be on the same side as him!
“Bobby keeps going and keeps going throughout the game. He loses it and will track back deep into our half to get it back. It shows his desire to try and win the ball back and defend for the team.”

Gomez has also called on Liverpool to continue embracing Firmino’s creativity following a recent no-look finish against West Ham.
It is goals such as that which have helped to highlight how confident the Reds’ No. 9 is at present and how any early critics of his game in England have been silenced.

“He is a very good striker all-round,” Gomez added.
“He works so hard for the team as well, everyone knows that and it’s why he’s liked by so many people – because of the effort he puts in. Regardless of the game, he always gives 100 per cent.

“Even if he didn’t score as many, his contribution to the team brings the rest of our attacking players into positions where they can score.
“Everyone is happy for him because he’s showing he can do it all, and he’s not losing the other parts of what he does. It’s nice to be on a team with someone with so much quality.