Klopp believes Firmino is the closest thing to Kane
Jurgen Klopp believes his forward Roberto Firmino is the closest the Premier League has to another Harry Kane.
Firmino was regarded as a 'false No 9' at the start of the season and eyebrows were raised that he started ahead of Daniel Sturridge and more orthodox centre-forwards.
Yet the Brazilian has justified Klopp’s faith with 19 goals this season and ahead of Sunday's big game against Spurs at Anfield, the Liverpool manager thinks he and Kane share a lot in common.
Brazilian Roberto Firmino has been leading the line for the Liverpool this season
‘Of all the strikers we have in England, they are the most similar – they're everywhere.
‘Harry is more coming from the 9 and a little bit on the 10 while Roberto is coming from the 10 and doing a bit more but is also a 9, he's just so important for us.
‘You realise it the day after the game when you look at the figures and see “wow, what a number of high sprints and high distance runs”.
‘When you look at him in training the next day it's all good, he walks normal. On the second day of recovery he looks fresh again.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane leads the top flight's scoring charts again with 21 goals
‘That makes him so special, he's always ready. That makes him an interesting package as a football player because he's not fixed on a position.’
One difference might be Kane’s obsession with scoring goals as he chases a third consecutive Golden Boot, something only Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry have managed in the Premier League era.
Firmino can also provide assists. Klopp said: ‘His desire to score is big but to be honest he doesn't really give a s*** over whether he passes the ball or scores himself, it makes no difference, and that's rare, you cannot tell somebody that.’
Klopp has been criticised for rotating his players more than rival managers through the season but he hopes he’ll see the benefit as we get to the business end of the season with his side chasing a top-four place again.
‘The reason (for rotation) was always fresh legs and to be fresh in this part of the season. This is the decisive part of the season. It is why you build the basis in the first part of the season and get what you get in the second half.’