Boss: Why I gave Roberto Firmino a break
Jürgen Klopp rewarded 'pure footballer' Roberto Firmino with a deserved break during last week's training camp in Marbella.
The Liverpool No.9 has played in all but two of the team’s 39 games across every competition this season, scoring 21 goals in the process.
If the Brazilian were left to his own devices he would never stop, according to Klopp, who felt the trip to Spain after the Champions League victory against FC Porto was the right moment to afford Firmino a rest.
“Roberto is a pure footballer, he wants to play and he wants to work,” said the manager.
“For one session in Marbella I took him out and said ‘thank you’ because he doesn’t rest so I have to do it for him. Some players feel a bit less good and slow down but he can’t do that.
“I think he feels best when he is on the pitch and hopefully it stays like this.”
The Reds resume their Premier League campaign on Saturday afternoon as West Ham United visit Anfield.
Their emphatic 5-0 win in Portugal was preceded by a 2-0 success at Southampton, meaning spirits have been noticeably high within the squad ahead of the clash with the Hammers.
But Klopp insisted that such positivity will not lead to complacency.
“You see the smiles on the training ground but we are concentrating really hard on our tactical things and trying to bring that on the pitch,” added the German.
“I don’t go into the dressing room every day and say ‘don’t forget’. We have done the tactical stuff outside already so they are aware of the strengths of West Ham, for sure. It’s about doing the right things in the right moments.
“We have an important meeting on Saturday before the game to make them finally ready. They are in a good moment, that’s good, but now we have to mix it with a real fighting spirit.”