Lucas Leiva has become the latest Liverpool star to praise the signing of Roberto Firmino, who became our second most of expensive signing of all-time when he joined from Hoffenheim at the end of last month.
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Firmino, who misses our pre-season tour after being on international duty at the Copa America, becomes the third Brazilian player in our squad – along with Lucas and Philippe Coutinho.
The latter has already struck up an impressive working relationship with our new signings whilst playing for Brazil, something which Lucas feels bodes well for the season ahead.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he said: “He has been playing in Germany, which is a very similar league to the one in England. I think it will be hard straight away and it will be just a case of him having to adapt to the club, the language and the way the manager wants us to play.”
Lucas even compared Firmino to another South American star – Luis Suarez – and if the new man proves to be half the player that the Uruguayan was for us then we’re definitely going to be on to a winner.
“We will see where he fits in,” he added. “He showed in Germany what he is capable of and hopefully he will be able to adapt as soon as possible. Listen, I remember when Suarez arrived at Liverpool and people didn’t know much about him.
“Hopefully he will be the new Suarez because that would be great for the club but it is not fair to put that pressure on him now. I think he has got all the attributes to be a great player for the club, for sure.”
Despite the many comparisons drawn between Coutinho and Firmino, Lucas explained that they are actually very different types of player who should compliment each other rather than get in each other’s way.
“Firmino is a goalscorer,” he added. “He plays for the national team like a No 9. He moves a lot, he is not just static. I don’t think he is the same as Philippe, who is more of a creator. Hopefully there will be a good link between the two.”
“It’s the same as when Coutinho arrived – I just want to make sure he feels comfortable, show him around the city and the club. Hopefully he will be a big signing like Philippe has been.”