Jurgen Klopp believes it was fitting Roberto Firmino proved Liverpool's matchwinner after the Brazilian had outlined the importance of winning the FIFA Club World Cup.
Firmino followed his dramatic late winner in the semi-final against Monterrey by scoring the only goal nine minutes into extra time to beat Flamengo in the final here in Doha on Saturday night.
The striker celebrated wildly after scoring – receiving a booking for taking off his shirt – and was later named the official man of the match.
And Klopp revealed how a conversation with Firmino explained why both the forward and compatriot Alisson Becker were so keen to triumph in Qatar.
“Brazil has footballers all over the world and three play in my team and they are very important and decisive for us,” said the Liverpool boss.
“Bobby could score the goal tonight which meant the world for him and us. It's a really nice story.
“The best thing about three boys up front is if one isn't scoring, the others are scoring.
“Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri have scored important goals for us or set them up. Mo Salah has scored important goals, Sadio Mane has scored incredibly important goals.
“Here we needed Bobby's goals, and here they are.
“I couldn't be more happy for him. Before the game we spoke a lot about what this competition means for Brazilian people, and we had two playing.
“It means the world for him. It was a sensational goal, completely calm. Really, really happy for him.”
Liverpool had been criticised in some quarters for prioritising the Club World Cup ahead of the Carabao Cup, from which a young side crashed out 5-0 at Aston Villa on Tuesday, less than 24 hours before the semi-final win against Monterrey in Qatar.
“We spoke about it before the game that now we are here, if we want to win it then we have to show it,” said Klopp.
“And I think my players showed that from the first second.”
