Liverpool star Roberto Firmino has been singled out for praise by Jose Mourinho.
Firmino is one member of the Reds' attacking trio, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, along with the Brazilian, now regarded as one of the best forward lines in world football.
And Mourinho, speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool's game against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, believes Jurgen Klopp's side would be in "trouble" if they were to lose their No.9.
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“He’s very important to Salah and to Mane because he drops back in between the lines to allow Salah and Mane to score as many goals," the former Manchester United and Chelsea manager said.
"If they play wide and he is a target man, then from wide positions you don’t score as many goals.
“They do it because they’re inside, between the centre-back and the full-back. Firmino drops back and if he attracts a centre-back, it gives more space to the others. If he doesn’t, he’s free in between the lines to get the ball into play.
“He’s fantastic and I didn’t know the words, I love it now you call it a work horse, I understand the meaning of it. He work so hard for the team.
“Salah and Mane, they don’t chase the full-backs all the way, they stay in positions where they can be killing people on the counter-attacks and Firmino compacts with the midfield.
“Origi, he can replace him and he can still score goals like he did last year in important games, but the style of play, the model of play, without Firmino they are in trouble.”
