It’s been a difficult summer for Liverpool but they now know they will be playing Champions League football this season.

The Reds have seemingly failed in their pursuit of their top two targets - Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita - while Philippe Coutinho made matters worse by handing in a transfer request on the eve of the Premier League season.

Drawing 3-3 against Watford on the opening weekend certainly didn’t help the mood around Anfield.

But after beating Hoffenheim 6-3 on aggregate to progress to the group stages of Europe’s elite competition, things are looking a lot rosier for the red half of Merseyside.

In fact, their attacking display during the 4-2 second-leg victory over Hoffenheim was so impressive that many forgot about the fact their star player could be leaving for Barcelona before the end of the transfer window.

Sadio Mane has started the campaign on fire and Mohamed Salah has settled immediately since his arrival from Roma.

But it was another player that caught the eye against Hoffenheim on Wednesday night.

Stats will show that Roberto Firmino registered one assist and scored one goal during the victory. But stats won’t explain how the Brazilian was at the centre of everything Liverpool did - and played a big part in all four goals.

Gerrard on Firmino

In fact, he was so good that Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard sang his praises in the BT Sport studio after the match.

“Roberto Firmino’s performance has been absolutely stunning,” Gerrard said.

“His quality, his vision, he keeps getting Liverpool players in. It was stunning, one, two touch football.

“Every time Roberto Firmino gets the ball, if you’re a runner in this team, your eyes light up and you get on your bike.

“He drops in deep, lays the ball off and this little dink with your left foot to put it on a plate for Emre Can is world class.”

But the 25-year-old probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves from football fans.

Playing as a striker, he is expected to score 20-30 goals every season. However, being a prolific goalscorer is not his forte. Instead, he defends from the front and allows the likes of Mane and Salah to flourish with his excellent link-up play.

It’s something that might go unnoticed - especially by those that judge the quality of a player by the amount of assists and goals they have to their name.

Klopp on 'the most underestimated player in world football'

But one man that certainly isn’t underestimating Firmino is his manager - Jurgen Klopp.

In fact, the German believes that the former Hoffenheim player is the “most underestimated player in the world.”

“What a game Roberto Firmino had today! Unbelievable. Woah,” Klopp said.

“He gave the opportunity to the two quick boys on the wing, that they could have one-on-one situations that they used outstandingly well again.

“He’s the most underestimated player in world football. He is unbelievable.”

So, while many Liverpool fans may have been calling out for a new prolific striker this summer, it seems Firmino will be leading the line this campaign.

Maybe football fans should start appreciating Firmino’s ability slightly more. After all, who are we to argue with Gerrard and Klopp?