Troy Deeney explains why he thinks Roberto Firmino is the best striker in the Premier League

Roberto Firmino

Troy Deeney believes Roberto Firmino is the best striker in the Premier League.

The Brazil international came off the bench to help Liverpool to a 3-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday.

Firmino did not find the net against Steve Bruce's side but he was instrumental in the Reds' comeback from 1-0 down.

And Watford captain Deeney thinks there is no one better in England's top flight.

"I think he's the best No.9 in the league, personally," he told Sky Sports.

"If you're a manager you want someone who can close down the whole back four on his own, link play, come short, scores goals and he gets assists. So for me, he's the best around at the moment."

Liverpool will begin the defence of their Champions League crown against Napoli on Tuesday.

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Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).