Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, says he would have found it tough to cope with the stress Roberto Firmino was under as the striker fought to clear his name of racism allegations.

Firmino was informed he would not be charged by the Football Association after a 47-day investigation into claims made by Everton defender Mason Holgate.

Klopp explained how Liverpool felt compelled to remain silent in order to respect the process, but were in no doubt from the first day on Jan 5 that Firmino was innocent.

“He knew he didn’t say it. We knew he didn’t say it. But we couldn’t say it in public,” said Klopp.

“I was never in doubt about it, but I only thought that if I am in a situation like that, which goes on for 47 days, and somebody thinks I said something, then it would be difficult for me to deal with it to be honest. That is why I said I am really proud of Roberto with how he dealt with it. Now it is done – all good.