Roberto Firmino plays against Arsenal, Roberto Firmino scores against Arsenal.
That's just how it seems to go these days, and it took roughly 15 minutes for the Brazilian to find the net against Arsene Wenger's men this time out thanks to a wonderful ball from Joe Gomez and some typically absent-minded Gunners' defending.
He also owes credit to Mohamed Salah, as he managed to do what so many attackers fail to do when they are in a decent position to play the ball; he listened for a shout. He clearly got one from Firmino, as Salah motioned to attack the ball before halting and crouching out of the way allowing his teammate to nod the ball home.
Salah's ball:
Still Salah's ball:
The shout from Firmino:
Salah ducks out of the way:
The hands say it all:
How many times do we see the player in Salah's position stretch to head that ball and make a mess of it, only for their teammate to stand there open-mouthed with their hands open in front of them? In this case, Salah may have even been flagged offside if he touched the ball as well.
Instead, Firmino demanded that ball be left for him in a manner that would have made Harry Arter proud, only this time it wasn't against the rules.
They go on about 'fine margins' a lot when discussing football played at that level, but Roberto Firmino's goal hammers that home as if he isn't quite loud enough, or if Mohamed Salah has the selfishness and tunnel-vision that pundits praise regular goalscorers for having, it probably wouldn't have resulted in a goal.
A great ball from Gomez, quick thinking from the Egyptian, and composure from Firmino. Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with that.
