Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has lauded Roberto Firmino after the forward's late winner against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.
The Brazilian has faced criticism regarding his goal return in recent months following the arrival of Diogo Jota from Wolves.
Having had to wait until the last home game of the Premier League season to score his first goal at Anfield last year, the 29-year-old has again produced a limited return this campaign.
In comparison, Jota has fired home nine goals from just 17 appearances, with Firmino 's performances prompting critics to suggest he should drop behind the Portugal international in Jurgen Klopp 's pecking order.
However, having seen his new team-mate ruled out for six-to-eight weeks with a knee injury, the Brazil international put in arguably his best performance of the season so far.
His last-minute winner at Anfield saw the Reds leapfrog Spurs at the top of the Premier League table.
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Analysing his performance on Match of the Day, Murphy was full of praise for Firmino as he issued the perfect response to his critics.
"Firmino, he’s had a bit of press in the early parts of the season when Jota came in and started scoring goals - is he the man?" Murphy said. "Well, tonight, he showed a performance where he was saying he is the man.
"What I loved about him, he was in the box trying to score goals, which is what you want your striker to do.
"We know he’s brilliant (at dropping deep), great awareness of those around him - good runs, good movement, strong and reliable with the ball. But he kept getting in there. His fitness looks good, he looked hungry.
"You could see the pleasure in his face with his celebration. It looked as if it had some frustration in it with what’s been going on."
