Turf Moor and Sean Dyche’s Burnley don’t seem a natural combination in which a Brazil international can prosper.
But Roberto Firmino clearly loves making the journey to the heart of Lancashire.
Having netted on his last two trips, the forward became the first Liverpool player to score in three successive visits when he got on the end of Andy Robertson’s pull back two minutes before half-time.
The silence that descended upon the stadium – until them joyfully noisy with the return of 3,500 Burnley fans – was deafening, eerily quiet but for the whoops of delight from the visiting players as they mobbed Firmino.
At a stroke, the nerves and frustration that had until then hampered Jurgen Klopp’s side evaporated.
Liverpool had 11 shots before Firmino’s intervention, none of which tested Burnley’s debutant goalkeeper Will Norris.
Yet the first effort on target was too hot for the Clarets’ cat to handle, and it provided the platform for the Reds to sidestep a very real banana skin and ease to a 3-0 victory that moved them into the top four and firmly in the box seat for Champions League qualification.
Few would argue Firmino has had anything other than a disappointing season by his standards, a regular starting role threatened by the impact of Diogo Jota and his own poor form.
And while one of several Liverpool players subdued during a nervy and uncertain opening, his goal a further sign of why Klopp has such faith in his talents.
Once again, at the business end of the season, the Brazilian is coming to life.
Two goals at Old Trafford. A part in the equaliser at West Bromwich Albion. And now this strike here.
It moves Firmino alongside Sadio Mane and Jota on nine Premier League goals this season, with only Mohamed Salah having scored more for the Reds. Very few have been anything other than important.
Eight games ago, Liverpool were 10 points behind Leicester City and eight adrift in terms of goal difference.
Now they have bridged that gap and will take a four-goal advantage into the final weekend.
Thanks, in no small part, to Firmino having rediscovered his verve at the most opportune time.
