Gabriel Martinelli opens up on Jurgen Klopp’s adulation

Gabriel Martinelli says he feels “proud” that Jurgen Klopp hailed him as “a talent of the century” in November.

The 18-year-old has launched his career in England with a bang after his £5million summer move from Ituaro. The forward has hit an impressive 10 goals in all competitions, including two against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup at Anfield.

That performance from the Brazilian certainly caught the attention of Klopp, who afterwards said: “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.”

And that adulation had been received warmly by Martinelli.

He told Marca: “I feel very proud that one of the best tacticians in the world speaks well of me.

“Now I have to remain firm, focused and continue working to achieve greater things.”

Martinelli, although only being in England six months, has already worked under two managers after Unai Emery was dismissed and replaced by Mike Arteta in December.

 

 

“Both [managers] are amazing people,” added the attacker. “Unai helped me a lot, he was the first who trusted me and placed me.

“I will always be very grateful. He was the one who gave me the first minutes in Europe.

“Mikel now also gives me a lot of confidence. I am very grateful. [He] always try to help me and give me advice so I can improve my football.

“In that I think he is amazing because he tries to give attention to all the players and is a very good person.”