‘Unpredictable’ is an accurate description for Roberto Firmino.
Whether it’s a defence-splitting pass few, if any, people have spotted, a no-look finish or a decadent piece of skill, the Liverpool No.9 has made a habit of invention in recent years.
The latest entry into his catalogue came at KRC Genk Arena on Wednesday night, when he set up Sadio Mane for a goalscoring opportunity with a rabona in the middle of a one-two, no less.
Mane was, sadly, unable to beat the goalkeeper when he met the sublime pass.
But while Firmino caught almost everyone by surprise with the technique, his fellow Reds forward was not one of them.
“It was really, really great skill from Bobby,” Mane told Liverpoolfc.com. “I was trying to score but the defender was behind me and I lost my step because he pushed me a bit. That’s why it was a little bit complicated for me to score the goal.
“You can’t expect it because you don’t know him. I know him very well, I’m training with him every single day and I know his quality, I know what he can do. I’m never surprised, I’m just looking forward to it all the time on the pitch.
“He’s doing it very well – for me, for Mo and for all the other players.
“He’s a really great player. All credit to Bobby. People are seeing it now, but the staff and team – everybody – were [always] happy with Bobby because he’s always sacrificing himself for the team.
“He’s doing well, scoring, giving assists and working hard for the team. It’s good people appreciate him now [externally] – like it should be.”
After Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put Liverpool into a 2-0 lead in the Champions League tie with Genk, Mane and Mohamed Salah took turns to set the other up for a goal.
