Roberto Firmino is the heart and soul of Liverpool

Roberto Firmino has signed a five-year contract at Liverpool, which will make the Brazilian the club’s best-paid player. This should go down as some of the best business the club has done in recent years: the 26-year-old is worth every penny.

While Mo Salah steals the headlines, Firmino is the engine that powers one of the most terrifying offenses in European soccer. Scoring goals is just a small part of the No. 9’s contributions: he defends, he acts as conductor when the high press pushes forward, and he creates space and opportunities for his teammates.

Quite simply, Roberto Firmino is the most well-rounded No. 9 in the European game right now. And for Liverpool, he is indispensable.