Firmino: Fans helped us beat Man Utd
Roberto Firmino has admitted Liverpool’s players fed off the Anfield atmosphere last week, which inspired them to a 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the first-ever continental meeting between the great rivals.
The Reds overwhelmed the visitors in the opening leg of the Europa League last-16 encounter, with the passion from the home crowd replicated in their performance on the pitch.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are confident of confirming United’s exit from the tournament in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford on Thursday, and Firmino believes the club are in a position of strength in the tie largely due to the unreal support they received on their own turf.
Asked whether he’d ever heard, seen or felt such animation from fans before, the Brazilian told Goal in an exclusive interview: “No, it was the first time ever for me.
“When we came out for the warm-up, the supporters were already singing loudly and that was so motivating to the team.
“They helped us with their passion to get a positive result. The fans were really going for it and that pushed us to also go for it. It was an incredible experience.”
The 24-year-old scored the second goal against United after Daniel Sturridge converted a penalty, and when he finished off Adam Lallana’s pass on 73 minutes, there was an eruption of noise at Anfield.
Supporters swirled their scarves incessantly and a red flare coloured the Main Stand while cries of ‘Liverpool, Liverpool’ filled the stadium.
Klopp said of the scenes: “The atmosphere was unbelievable. It was really great and I want to say thank you to everybody that was involved in this atmosphere.
“It was easy to enjoy from the first until the last second. That was Liverpool how I knew it before I came here, so that was really, really great.”
The aura was so powerful that United’s players could be seen looking over to the Kop as they lined up for the game. And afterwards, Louis van Gaal urged his club’s fans to duplicate that encouragement at Old Trafford.
"I have to say that Liverpool created an atmosphere that was fantastic,” the Dutchman admitted.
“Losing 2-0 is a difficult result for us, but we have to create an atmosphere like that.”
Source: Goal
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