Roberto Firmino has now scored more Champions League goals than Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard after a sizzling second-half display against Rangers.
The silky Brazilian, 31, headed Jurgen Klopp‘s men level from a corner midway through the opening period before the Premier League giants ran riot by netting six in 45 minutes to silence the rampant Ibrox crowd.
Firmino’s second, a fine left-footed finish through the legs of Allan McGregor, sent the Reds on their way to a sensational victory with star man Mohamed Salah bagging a hat-trick in six minutes and 12 seconds – the fastest-ever in Champions League history – from the bench.
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Despite scoring six goals in seven Premier League matches, Firmino was yet to find the net in Europe prior to the Ibrox inhalation but his two goals in the Scottish capital have now taken his tally to 22 in the Champions League – one more than club legend Steven Gerrard.
Leading Liverpool almost singlehandedly to the 2005 ‘Big Ears’ trophy, Gerrard managed 21 goals in Europe’s most-elite competition, including memorable strikes against Olympiacos and AC Milan. However, Firmino’s double means the Aston Villa boss has now slipped to fourth in Liverpool’s record Champions League top goalscorers.
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While Gerrard earned mass plaudits for his solo Champions League efforts during the 2000s it was Roberto Firmino who changed Liverpool’s fortunes against Rangers with the Brazilian receiving stellar praise from ex-England defender Jonathan Woodgate.
“Roberto Firmino is there again,” hailed Woodgate on BBC Radio 5 Live. “It’s brilliant play from Joe Gomez down the wing, a beautiful ball in and then Firmino had full composure to slot it in. He’s been outstanding from the first minute and stood up for Liverpool.”
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