Roberto Firmino is a dazzler in all senses of the word. He dazzles with his play on the field, he dazzles with his smile (literally, need shades to view head on), and he dazzles with his wardrobe. He’s dazzled enough to be names to the 30 player shortlist for the Ballon D’Or. But Bobby Firmino isn’t just about dazzling, he’s about putting the work in to improve himself and the team.

“I think I improved a lot in every way: physically, tactically, mentally, I learned a bit of every aspect,” he said of his growth from when he joined Liverpool in 2015 (and was used as a cough right back). “But I do not want to stop here. I want to keep improving – I always want more, I have big goals, I want to keep winning titles with this club and that is it.”

Firmino’s sentiment is appreciated, as his approach to the game. He is one of the most balanced forward players in the modern game, always putting a shift in while still managing to bring the Brazilian flair with his audacious skills.

“To try to help my team in the best way with assists and goals. I like that, I like to win all the time, and for that I will always be like this,” said Firmino. “I am a guy who respects my position on the pitch. Where the team needs me, I will play. As a number 9, but sometimes I play as a number 10, and I try to give my best.”

Others on this site, Audun in particular, have talked about Firmino’s skill set and positional flexibility, and how Firmino’s game can continue to thrive as the 28 year gets a little older. Unlike Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Firmino’s game is not predicated on pace, but on his unreal work rate, his fantastic ability to find space, his unreal vision, and of course, those dazzling skills. He can play as a lead striker, as the false 9, or even as and advanced midfielder. He has the skills and the mentality to take on any of those challenges.

“As I mentioned before, I always want to help my team as best as I can and to always be chasing the win, always winning games. That is what matters the most.”