‘Without a doubt,’ Alan Shearer is impressed by Liverpool’s £29 million star, who has been dubbed the club’s “best player.”

Alan Shearer praised Roberto Firmino and claimed that he was Liverpool’s “best player” this season, according to Premier League Productions (22/10/22 at 12:15 pm).

The Newcastle United legend went on to say that Roberto Firmino has gotten the goals that his performances have deserved, but he was unable to break through against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

While the 31-year-old will be pleased with his performance, it comes against the backdrop of Jurgen Klopp’s side’s disappointing start to the new season.

It wasn’t so long ago that they were sitting in the bottom half of the table, but recent wins against Manchester City and West Ham United suggested that a corner was being turned.

Only for another stumbling block to hit the Reds because they are now four points outside of the Champions League places after their 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted and then bottom-of-the-table, Nottingham Forest.

Nonetheless, before proceedings could kick off between these two old heavyweights at the City Ground, Shearer spoke highly about the man leading the club’s line.

“He’s been their best player over this season, there is no doubt about that,” said Shearer. “There were questions if Firmino was going to be the one to lose his place.

“But that’s not been the case. His hold-up play has been superb. He’s got goals that his performances deserve.”

Before a ball was kicked this season, it could be argued that Firmino had fallen behind several players in the Liverpool forward pecking order.

The £29 million versatile star (BBC Sport) was seemingly going to be pushed behind big-money summer signing Darwin Nunez, whilst Diogo Jota had played a more starting role than the Brazil star last term, prior to his injury.

But Firmino, when handed his chances, has done his talking on the field of play, scoring eight goals and supplying four assists from his 15 matches in all competitions.

His role becomes even more important now because Nunez missed the defeat to Forest, whilst Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are out of action until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.