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Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool and Roberto Firmino are the perfect match as the club look to agree a new long-term contract with the Brazilian striker.

The Reds are in talks with Firmino and are keen to reward him for the impressive progress he has made since his £29million move from Hoffenheim in 2015.

Firmino, whose current deal runs until 2020, has scored 22 goals already this season and Klopp says the 26-year-old is in the right place to continue his development.

“It (the new contract) is very important for both sides,” Klopp said.

“I think everything we are doing, the way we play, the way we give him the opportunity constantly to play, he deserves that.

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

“He deserves that because his work-rate is outstanding but it helped him a lot to step up. He became a different player here. Other teams can say ‘Hmmm, he’s really good’ but it is not sure they will play the same way and use him as a nine or a 10 or they’ll use him out on the wings.

“It is never sure but of course it is important to keep these players who are at a good age and when there is still space for improvement. There is no doubt we want to do that. It’s not that their contracts are ending in the summer, but you can imagine we’re trying to do that (agree an extension).”

Firmino has gone up a level and embraced taking on more responsibility following his close friend Philippe Coutinho’s £142million move to Barcelona in January. He has netted in five of the last six matches ahead of Saturday’s visit of Newcastle.

(Image: Photo by Colin Lane)

Losing Firmino would certainly have been a much bigger blow for Liverpool. Klopp recently described him as the “engine” of the side. The No 9 scores, he creates and he sets the tone with his tireless work ethic.

“With Phil we were giving him a four-yard pass and you don’t need that,” Klopp said.

“Now we don’t have this dominant player - ‘Give it to me, give it to me, give it to me’ - that’s how it is. I don’t want this to be misunderstood. It was really good, that’s why Phil is the player he is, but now we play differently and not only because he is out.

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

“Roberto drops into midfield, he gets the ball and loses a few balls where you have a heart attack, but then he wins it back and starts an attack. You need players who are good on the ball and have this football intelligence.

“It is not the biggest difference but there are a few decisive differences in the last few games. Maybe the biggest compliment is that nobody thought in the last few games: ‘With Phil it would have been different.’ I really don’t want to throw dirt after Phil because there is no need and everything is fine.

“We played fantastic football with Phil as well. The team needed to step up without him. It is another way to play football. I always hoped it would not be an issue.”