Our most exciting summer signing Roberto Firmino has taken to the press to laud his new club, and given quotes that will delight Liverpool supporters.
We signed the 23-year-old for a fee which could rise to £29m (via Sky Sports) earlier in the transfer window from German club Hoffenheim, but the Brazilian international revealed to Bild, cited by Goal, that we’ve in fact been chasing him for at least 12 months.
“I decided for Liverpool because they wanted me for over a year,” he began. “There was a certain sympathy from the beginning and I had a good feeling from the start.
“I come to the best league in the world. I can grow there. Physically, it will be a new challenge due to the big number of games to be played with the five competitions.
“I am looking forward [to seeing] the fans at Anfield. I am already having goosebumps if I think of them singing ‘You’ll never walk alone’.”
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Firmino is currently on holiday after Liverpool allowed him and Coutinho an extended break due to their participation in the Copa America, and the new signing can’t wait to team up with his international colleague at club level.
“I don’t see my fee as burden. Rather as an appreciation and a compliment,” he continued.
“It is an advantage that Coutinho is there. He is my compatriot and knows me and can make my familiarisation easier. And aside from that, we get on well.”
The thought of Coutinho and Firmino combining for Liverpool as they do for Brazil is enough to make most Reds drool. Both are technically wonderful, posses bags of skill and have a penchant for genius.
Slightly advanced of an en engine room of Jordan Henderson and James Milner, the pair will be charged with creating a supply line for imminent striker signing Christian Benteke, who is set to arrive in the coming days (via BBC Sport).