Liverpool put their season back on track by moving into third place with a 3-1 win over Arsenal.
Sadio Mane’s ball into the far post found the Brazilian, who took a touch before drilling past Petr Cech and into the roof of the Gunners’ net.
Firmino returned the favour just before the interval as he picked out Mane with a pass to the far post which the winger comfortably rifled home.
The visitors pulled a goal back through Danny Welbeck but Georginio Wijnaldum put the game beyond doubt as he rounded off an impressive counter attack.
Here were the key talking points from Anfield:
Big-game syndrome continues
A common criticism of Liverpool used to be that they were mere flat-track bullies; incapable of rising to the challenge of the Premier League’s elite sides.
The opposite has been truer in recent years, and another stirring performance against one of their top four counterparts further emphasised this theory.
Jurgen Klopp believed that a repeat performance of last month’s win over Tottenham was more than viable. Of course he did – it was an inevitability.
Even with a second-half scare, the Reds still held firm to put their Champions League qualification hopes firmly back on track in moving up to third place
Displays such as this make it easy to see why the Anfield hierarchy have been continually receptive to the prospect of a European Super League.
If the top six was comprised of the results against their top six rivals alone, Liverpool would be six points clear of Chelsea in the title race rather than 11 points adrift.
Reds must beware what lies ahead
Good as the win over the Gunners proved, the greater litmus test will come over the coming weeks, beginning with Burnley’s visit to Anfield next weekend.
Liverpool face visits from the Clarets, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace as well as a difficult trip to West Brom in the next seven weeks of the season.
Their previous run in that period saw the likes of Swansea City, Hull City and Leicester all take maximum points off without so much as a fight put up.
Should Sean Dyche’s side emerge in eight days’ time with anything other than a defeat, Liverpool’s psychological resolve will require some further scrutiny.
Chalk and cheese makes summer to-do list
A cursory glance at the substitutes’ benches explained why Arsenal, for all their faults, remain regular features of the Champions League’s running order.
Alexis Sanchez invariably stole focus with his surprise demotion but more than the man who rejected a move to Anfield set the clubs apart in the chalk and cheese comparison.
With Aaron Ramsey to also call upon, not to mention two England internationals in Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs, the Gunners remain incredibly well stocked.
Liverpool’s own seven-man offering could barely compete, with two youngsters drafted in following Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson’s absences.
If Klopp is serious about competing at the higher end of the transfer market this summer, developing strength in depth is as imperative as a strong starting XI.
Sturridge farewell won’t be forlorn
This summer is also set to bring a decision on Sturridge’s Anfield future.
On the current evidence, the England international will be waved off with little fanfare after a season where he has been overtaken by so-called imposters.
Traditionalists have lamented the rise of the false nine ahead of traditional strikers but their loss has proved Liverpool’s gain under Klopp’s tutelage.
On the occasions when Sturridge has been fit, he cannot force his way into a side where Firmino has comfortably led the line, as Arsenal discovered to their peril.
With the Brazilian continuing in such blistering form, aided by Mane and Philippe Coutinho, there will be little longing for one of Anfield’s most prolific players.