As Liverpool brought a level of intensity never before seen in the Premier League over the past few years, Premier League football has somewhat passed Roberto Firmino by.
Even his most fervent followers, who insist the Brazilian links up the game like no other, struggled to justify Firmino being selected above the breathless Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Replacing Mane with Darwin Nunez, one of Europe’s leading marksmen, was another blow to Firmino’s hopes of being seen as the focal point of the Liverpool attack again, but in a near-perfect display against Bournemouth in his side’s record-equalling 9-0 win, he proved there’s still life in those samba feet yet.
Firmino became the first ever Liverpool player to be involved in four goals – three assists and a goal – in the first half of a Premier League match, before adding a poacher’s second in the second half. No box, throughout the 90 minutes, had been left unchecked.
But it was perhaps one flick, in one of the rare Liverpool forays forward that did not lead to a goal, that typified what Firmino is all about, and sent a reminder to those who doubt he can still impact games that the Brazilian has his very unique uses.
With players fizzing past him, left and right, Firmino somehow snook a back-heel flick into Harvey Elliot that not only picked out his man in the tightest of half spaces, but fell right into the stride of his young team-mate. The flick alone had fans gasping for air, before a glaring miss from Salah brought them back down to earth.
Jurgen Klopp issued an especially long rallying cry in his pre-match programme notes, calling Liverpool’s three-match winless opening to the new Premier League season a “false start”.
Liverpool v Bournemouth ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7. The Brazilian had little to do as the action was concentrated at the other end. He was watchful on Bournemouth’s rare forays and was never worried. EPA -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8. The 23-year-old was in his element. He was hardly asked to defend and scored a stunning long-range effort. His cross forced Mepham into putting the ball into his own net. Clark replaced him with seven minutes left. EPA -
Joe Gomez - 7. The 25-year-old barely worked up a sweat. He had one dubious moment when he dwelt on the ball but he was able to spark attacks by stepping forward and picking his passes. AP -
Virgil van Dijk - 7. The Dutchman was unruffled by the physical threat of Moore. He was the essence of calm and powered home his team’s fifth goal from a corner. AFP -
Andy Robertson - 7. The Scot showed signs that his relationship with Diaz is beginning to gel. He got up and down the pitch, supplied the corner for Van Dijk’s goal and headed a chance over before making way for Tsimikas in the 69th minute. Getty -
Harvey Elliott - 7. The 19-year-old scored his first Premier League goal with an excellent first-time shot from the edge of the box. His passing was clever and he was a constant danger to the defence. Carvalho replaced him at half time. EPA -
Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian was close to his best, albeit against inferior opposition. He set the game’s tempo and won the ball at will in midfield. Getty -
Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain sat deep and had a relatively easy afternoon against a toothless Bournemouth midfield. He was relaxed and efficient until making way for Bajcetic in the 70th minute. EPA -
Mohamed Salah - 7. Nine goals and none for the Egyptian? It’s hard to believe but the striker played his part, worrying the defence with his movement and pace. He missed a couple of good chances and, had he been clinical, Liverpool might have hit double figures. AFP -
Roberto Firmino - 9. The Brazilian has been under fire but he answered his critics with aplomb, setting up three goals and scoring two while giving a masterclass of link play. He received a deserved ovation when Milner came on for him in the 69th minute. EPA -
Luis Diaz - 9. The Colombian scored twice and menaced the defence. Even better for Liverpool, he seems to be developing an understanding with Robertson on the left. AP -
SUBS: Fabio Carvalho ( Elliott, half time) - 8. The 19-year-old came in the break and relished his opportunity. He scored a splendid goal and brought renewed energy to the press. Reuters -
Stefan Bajcetic (Henderson, 70) - 7. The 17-year-old made his debut. He did not look out of place. AFP -
James Milner (Firmino, 69) - 7. The 36-year-old played in the midfield before moving to right back. He was secure wherever he was needed. Reuters -
Kostas Tsimikas (Robertson, 69) - 8. Set up Carvalho and Diaz’s goals. It was fair reward for a typically energetic display. Bobby Clark (Alexander-Arnold, 83) - 7. The 17-year-old could not have had a more comfortable debut. Getty -
BOURNEMOUTH RATINGS: Mark Travers - 3. The Irishman could not be blamed for any of the goals but suffered a serious case of guilt by association. He made some good saves but the scoreboard makes grim reading. EPA -
Adam Smith - 1. The 31-year-old looked lost. He rarely got close to an opponent and when he did he was booked for a rash challenge on Henderson – his fourth successive Premier League game with a yellow card. It was no surprise when he was withdrawn at half time for Solanke. AFP -
Chris Mepham - 2. The 24-year-old put the ball into his own net and could have done much better on a clutch of the other goals. An awful afternoon ended when he was taken off for Bevan with eight minutes to go. EPA -
Marcos Senesi - 1. The Argentinian is enduring a baptism of fire in the Premier League. His all-round play was inept but allowing Alexander-Arnold to advance and score at will was a low point on a grim day. AFP -
Jordan Zemura - 2. Salah did not score but that was not down to the 22-year-old. His positioning was poor and Liverpool swarmed down his wing. Getty -
Lewis Cook - 3. The 25-year-old worked hard but it was an object lesson in pointless running. He was nothing more than a minor irritant to Liverpool and was withdrawn for Pearson with 13 minutes to go. AFP -
Jefferson Lerma - 3. The Colombian was overrun early and could not stem the tide of red attacks. He was static and could not work out how to stop the rout. EPA -
Marcus Tavernier - 3. The 23-year-old tried to get on the ball but made scant impact. He was another who was out of his depth at Anfield. EPA -
Ryan Christie - 3. The Scot was taken off at half time for Billing. He was clearly upset with his defenders but his own performance was less than sparkling. EPA -
Kieffer Moore - 4. The Welshman was isolated and had to drop deep in search of the ball. That made him less effective but he put in plenty of effort on a frustrating day. AFP -
Jaidon Anthony - 3. The 22-year-old will not recall his full Premier League debut with affection. He got lost in the Liverpool maelstrom. AFP -
SUBS: Dominic Solanke (Smith, half time) - 3. The 24-year-old did not appear to be fully fit. He would probably have been better off to remain on the bench. AFP -
Philip Billing (Christie, half time) - 4. The Dane offered a slight improvement. He was more effective in the air. Owen Bevan (Mepham, 82) - 4. The 18-year-old had the thankless task. He will have more rewarding games. Reuters -
Emiliano Marcondes (Pearson, 82) - 3. Joined the action when Pearson was injured. It was his first taste of Premier League action and he will hope it is not always like this. Ben Pearson (Cook, 77) - 2. The 27-year-old lasted five minutes before picking up an injury and being replaced by Marcondes. PA
He called on his side to take matters into their own hands and not feel sorry for themselves. Normally, as has been the case on plentiful occasions before, that means coming out of the traps like a greyhound and blowing teams away with an intensity few can handle.
Instead, Firmino’s finesse was at the heart of their instant renaissance. The cross for Diaz’s opener was sublime from the Brazilian, while the cushion for Elliot’s second, which he will claim was deliberate, certainly landed where it needed to. Two goals inside six minutes – game over.
The standing ovation from his adoring supporters, and the embrace from a jubilant Klopp, as Firmino, having contributed to five goals, was substituted said it all.
He could then sit back in the Merseyside sunshine and watch on as his team-mates tried to create history and become the first Premier League team to hit double figures.
The fact that the goals kept coming, with Liverpool equalling the record for the biggest win in Premier League history, will take some of the attention away from what was an impressive afternoon’s work from a player who keeps finding himself on the periphery, only to prove to the naysayers that he can still cut it.
There will be many a sterner test for Firmino and Liverpool, but after making such an inauspicious start to the season, both player and club needed to make a real statement of intent on Saturday. It could not have gone any better.
With Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino sold in the summer, Liverpool are left with five frontline forwards as they look to amass another assault on four trophies.
Firmino will find his moments few and far between, but not many top clubs can boast a forward of his ilk waiting in the wings.
He won’t be found atop any goalscoring charts, or be the sort of player to take games by the scruff of the neck, but with an effervescence that is so pleasing on the eye, Firmino can still have a part to play, a big one at that.
