Jurgen Klopp pays the biggest compliment to Liverpool cult hero Roberto Firmino | OneFootball

It's safe to say opinions will vary as to who was the most important player during Jurgen Klopp's successful Liverpool tenure.

Appointed in October 2015, the German inherited a squad that had won just four of their opening 11 games in across competitions that season which was on the  back of a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League the campaign prior.

Of course, the rest is history. Despite suffering defeats in the Carabao Cup and Europa League finals within his first seven months in charge, Klopp did lead Liverpool to glory on several fronts by winning the Premier League, Champions League, Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup and League Cup (twice) before departing last week.

Jurgen Klopp pays the biggest compliment to Liverpool cult hero Roberto Firmino 2 mins ago by Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Ex-England star says Liverpool must sell Mohamed Salah NOW amid talk of £100m offer 2 hours ago by Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Erik ten Hag delivers verdict on Arne Slot Liverpool move and makes Man United comparison 4 hours ago by Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

During this period several players were able to earn cult hero status at the club. There's Mohamed Salah who lead from the front with his goals, Sadio Mane - one of the German's first major signings - whilst Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker are largely viewed as the two transformative additions of the Klopp era.

Not forgetting the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Divock Origi who also played a huge role in this particular period, but who is the one Liverpool player that tied everything together?

Well according to Klopp, it's a player that was already at the club prior to his arrival.

Jurgen Klopp hails Bobby Firmino

As per The Athletic, the German recently took part in an hour-long Q&A with Liverpool staff at Anfield and when asked for his his advice for anyone looking to ‘build a great team’ Klopp is said to have responded with a slightly tongue-in-cheek answer.

"Build it around Bobby Firmino," he replied.

SAFF Roshn Saudi Pro League 2023-24 MD11 Roberto Firmino of Al-Ahli SFC during the Match Day 11 of the SAFF Roshn Saudi Pro League 2023-24 between Al-Hilal SFC vs Al-Ahli SFC at King Fahd International Stadium on October 27, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Riyadh King Fahd International Stadium Saudi Arabia PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPNxUK Copyright: xVictorxFrailex 2023.10.27_PSI03255.MD11_VFR_02214

Whether Klopp was being serious or not, Roberto Firmino's importance to Liverpool during this period is not lost on many supporters. It's often suggested that the Brazilian was the system which allowed Salah and Mane, in particular, to thrive in attack.

Unfortunately for new Reds head coach Arne Slot, he will not have the fortune of building his team around Firmino due to the 32-year-old bidding farewell to Merseyside last summer and joining Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli on a free transfer.

Liverpool set to save £300k PER WEEK in wages and figure could rise 2 days ago by Alex Caple

10 first-team Liverpool players who may have played their LAST game 2 days ago by Alex Caple

The most influential team on Liverpool 2.0? Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth 3 days ago by Alex Caple