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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Man City star Gabriel Jesus compared to Liverpool FC's Roberto Firmino following RB Leipzig win

Former Manchester United and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has compared Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus to fellow countryman and Liverpool star Roberto Firmino.

Hargreaves made the admission after watching Jesus claim his second goal of the season to help City beat RB Leipzig 6-3 in a Champions League blockbuster at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.

After stepping off the bench with less than ten minutes left to replace Jack Grealish, who marked his Champions League debut with a goal of his own, Jesus netted City's sixth of the night from close range after Leipzig failed to deal with a corner.

It was a real poacher's finish from the Brazil international, who was making his 200th appearance for the club, again proving he has the ability to sniff out opportunities as all top-level strikers do.

Although he didn't start the contest, the 24-year-old earned no shortage of praise following the full-time whistle from Hargreaves, who likened him to fellow countryman Firmino for being an underrated figure within Pep Guardiola's armoury.

Hargreaves told BT Sport : "I really like Gabriel Jesus and I think he is a really underrated player. Obviously, the question is: can he lead the line for a big club like Manchester City?

"But his goal return is fantastic. He works incredibly hard for the team, gives the team so much, a bit like [Roberto] Firmino at Liverpool, being a bit underrated, but I am happy for him to get on the scoresheet.

"On the right-hand side, he has been fantastic."

As well as delivering glittering praise for Jesus, Hargreaves also waxed lyrical about Grealish, who fired home a wonderful solo goal to net City's fourth goal of the night.

"As a young player this is the stage," Hargreaves added. "At Aston Villa, he will have been able to watch these games from home and see that this is where you want to be as a player.

"He belongs here. His talent is undeniable. He suits this Manchester City team with the way that they play. He gives them something different and we saw that today.

"He was a joy to watch and I’m sure we’ll see more of him."

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