Jurgen Klopp once again earmarked Gabriel Martinelli for praise, after Liverpool’s League Cup semi-final victory against Arsenal.
A brace from Diogo Jota was enough to secure a 2-0 away victory against Mikel Arteta’s side.
It was a much-improved performance from the Merseysiders, who struggled to break down a ten-man Arsenal side in the first leg at Anfield.
Fortunately for Klopp, the Reds were devastatingly sharp and terrifyingly clinical against the north Londoners.
But after watching his side book themselves a place in the League Cup final against Chelsea, the former Borussia Dortmund manager went out of his way again to praise Martinelli.
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“Martinelli by the way…everybody should remember that name. Outstanding player,” Klopp said after he was asked about facing Chelsea in the final.
The German has previously touted the Brazilian as the “talent of the century” after a previous League Cup clash against the Gunners in October 2019.
Liverpool and Arsenal treated the footballing world to a stunning 5-5 draw at Anfield, which Klopp’s side eventually won on penalties.
Martinelli ran a makeshift Liverpool defence absolutely ragged during that affair at Anfield, helping himself to an impressive first-half brace.
The Brazilian mesmerised Klopp in the process, and had the German waxing lyrical about his display on the red side of Merseyside.
"Van den Berg played an incredible game," Klopp said after the draw in 2019.
"That's really difficult to deal with these guys. Martinelli's pretty much the same age but he's a talent of the century, he's an incredible striker, so it's really difficult.
"Then you have Mesut Ozil around and [Joe] Willock right, who scored by the way a really nice one.”
A few months later, Marinelli conveyed his pride about the Liverpool manager’s praise in a proceeding interview with the Spanish media.
"I feel very proud that one of the best tacticians in the world speaks well of me," Martinelli told Spanish publication Marca.
"Now I have to remain firm, focused and continue working to achieve greater things."
After a slow start to the season which saw him only start two of Arsenal’s opening 13 Premier League matches, Martinelli has since solidified a place for himself in Arteta’s starting eleven.
The Brazilian’s pace and direct attacking style from the left-hand side has seen him contribute four goals and three assists in 20 appearances in all competitions this season.
And Arteta also identified the striker for special praise after Arsenal’s vital 2-0 home victory against West Ham United in December, praising his work rate and assertive playing style.
"He (Martinelli) trains incredibly hard, he is always willing to do more and he is not scared or afraid to take risks - and that is what I like about him," Arteta said in December.
"You cannot play every action at 100mph, it is impossible. It is not very efficient for you because you burn yourself out after a few minutes, and then you're just chasing a situation and not reading exactly what is needed.
"Gabi is doing much better at that. We have to try to do that without losing the passion, the energy and this capacity he has to just affect the game with the way he acts on the pitch."
