There are clear comparison to be drawn between Roberto Firmino and Eric Cantona, as the Liverpool striker continues to earn rave reviews.

Firmino has made a superb start to the season, with his performance against Newcastle United on Saturday a joy to watch.

Speaking after the game, Magpies boss Steve Bruce spoke about how the Reds’ No.9 reminds him of former Manchester United teammate Cantona:

Cantona is as good a player as I’ve ever seen. I haven’t seen Firmino week in week out like that, but just when you see him here and what he gives them, it’s a perfect balance. And Cantona gave us that.

Back in the day, we had Giggs and Kanchelskis who had frightening pace and stretched sides so much like Liverpool’s two, and Cantona dropped into that hole and people couldn’t get anywhere near them. That’s what you see with Firmino.

Firmino is the one that drops in, but the pace of the other two is frightening, he drops in and the other two are running over your shoulder.

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Firmino is finally receiving the mainstream praise he has warranted for so long, in what is now his fifth season at Liverpool.

It’s almost as though the penny has dropped with pundits, rival managers and opposition fans, suddenly realising why Reds supporters have gushed over him for so long.

On current form, there is arguably no more influential striker in Europe, with Firmino’s importance to Liverpool vast.

The Cantona comparisons are spot on, in fairness to Bruce, with that ability to drop deep making him a nightmare to mark.

He is as highly thought of by Liverpool fans as the Frenchman was at Old Trafford, which speaks volumes about his brilliance.

Is Firmino Liverpool's most important player?

Yes

No