Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes Roberto Firmino doesn't focus on scoring goals, instead providing the 'gel' that glues his side together.
Firmino receives widespread appreciation for his link-up play and work off the ball, but his lack of goals - particularly this season - is perhaps what separates him from other top forwards.
The Brazilian has scored just eight Premier League goals in 29 appearances this season and is yet to find the back of the net at Anfield.
Heskey - who scored 60 goals in 223 appearances for Liverpool - believes Firmino has so much more to his game, however, insisting goals are not the 28-year-old's primary focus.
Speaking to 90Min, he said: "I just think everything gels properly when he’s playing. He’s not necessarily worried about ‘this is my job and I need to do this’.
"You see him chasing back and tackling, you see him playing left wing and chase the guy up and down the wing. Then you’ll see him up front, getting the ball and holding it up and bringing someone in.
"It’s just a different variety of stuff that he does, he’s not just focused on “I must score goals”."
Particularly, there is one aspect of Firmino's game that Heskey believes sets him apart from other strikers.
"I’m a forward, so I look at the runs he’s making, the space he’s creating. He seems to get space where nobody gets space.
"He creates his space, his first touch is brilliant because he takes it away from players, so he can have time to look around and assess what he’s got to do next. He’s great at that."
Prior to the Premier League's suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic, Liverpool were on course for their first league title in over 30 years.
If and when football in England does return, Liverpool will need just two wins from the remaining ten games to secure a historic season.
