Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino may not live up to the classic No 9 shirt, but he's easily the most important front man for manager Jurgen Klopp

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Amid all the attention on one Brazilian at Liverpool this season, little has gone on the other.

Roberto Firmino has four goals so far – two in the Premier League and two in the Champions League – but putting the ball in the net is not this Liverpool No 9's only job.

This is a striker who last season completed 58 tackles – more than Gary Cahill, Jan Vertonghen, Shkodran Mustafi, Harry Maguire and Joel Matip, to name a few.

Roberto Firmino may not be a classic No 9 striker, but his gameplay is vital for Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp's plan for high intensity pressing was a popular topic when he came to the Premier League two years ago and, whether it's working or not, Firmino fits it perfectly.

The 25-year-old is the Brazilian with a German engine, working hard in the opposition half.

As well as being a leader in the tackles table, Firmino has covered 48.3km this season – more than any other Liverpool player by at least 1km.

Last season was no different. In 2016-17 he was the third highest in Liverpool's squad for distances covered and those above him played more matches (James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne).

Firmino makes the runs that other forwards may not. As strikers are judged by their goals and assists, it is a thankless task, but one that Klopp has stressed is important.

'People say he does not score enough,' Liverpool's manager said in the summer. 'What?! He is the best player without scoring with how well he reads the game for the benefit of others.'

The attention of the summer was on Philippe Coutinho rather than his compatriot Firmino

Firmino offers an outlet of high pressing and frequent tackling which most strikers don't

Klopp wants his team to win the ball in the opponents' half – closer to the other goal – and Firmino is tasked with chasing it down, while also making menacing runs to confuse defenders.

There was a suggestion ahead of this season that the No 9 shirt was cursed.

When Mohamed Salah signed for £39million in the summer, he took No 11, and Firmino switched to the shirt that was once worn by the great Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler (AKA 'God').

Since then, there has been Nicolas Anelka, El Hadji Diouf, Djibril Cisse, Fernando Torres, Andy Carroll, Iago Aspas, Rickie Lambert and Christian Benteke.

Apart from Torres, none hit the heights at Anfield, and now it is Firmino's turn to have a go, having jumped at the chance to take it.

Firmino made more tackles than the likes of Tottenham's star man Jan Vertonghen last season

Though his scoring stats may not threaten that of other No 9s, he appears to be his manager's perfect player. Indeed Klopp is forever keen to point out that it is what he does out of possession which is pivotal to his style of play.

Liverpool may have gone into the weekend behind Burnley and Huddersfield Town but it is not their attack that has caused the coach headaches.

They have had 97 shots so far this season – the second most in the Premier League, behind only Tottenham (105).

Klopp's attack-minded side have had problems at the back this month, having not kept a clean sheet in September, conceding 10 goals in total.

That is despite them having faced the second fewest shots all season in the Premier League (39).

Zonal marking has been an issue and it remains to be seen whether Southampton's Virgil van Dijk would have plugged any gaps, particularly when it comes to set pieces.

The likes of El Hadji Diouf and Andy Carroll have previously donned the unlucky No 9 shirt

Only Premier League table toppers Manchester City (36) have faced fewer shots but they occupy the place where Liverpool would like to.

Klopp is persistent in sticking to his plan and, as they prepare to go up against a team that beat them 2-0 in the Carabao Cup in midweek, Firmino is set to lead the line.

The forward, who signed for £29m from Hoffenheim in 2015, was rested for that trip to the King Power Stadium but is back ready for his 99th appearance in all competitions on Saturday.

He turns 26 in a week and scored 10 goals in his first Premier League season with Liverpool, then 11 in his second.

Firmino has two so far this season and it's true that his 236.7 minutes-per-goal hasn't been the greatest for the Merseyside club. In fairness, though, he has other jobs.