Roberto Firmino has revealed his delight at the prospect of making his Premier League debut on Sunday. The Reds take on Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium, and the young Brazilian could be one of seven new players to make their top flight bow in a Liverpool shirt.
Adam Bogdan, Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez, James Milner, Danny Ings and Christian Benteke have also come in, with Brendan Rodgers having spent big to freshen up his squad this summer, and inspire a fresh wave of confidence around Anfield.
The first objective for the new arrivals will be to right the wrong of the final day of last season, when we lost the same fixture 6-1, and Firmino can’t wait to pull on the famous red shirt for the first time.
The 23-year-old made his first appearance for us in our final pre-season friendly, which came against Swindon Town last Sunday, and impressed before being withdrawn mid-way through the second-half.
SEE MORE:
Liverpool’s 39-man academy squad rated out of 10 in terms of potential – Dhanda & Pedro shine
Coutinho raves after seeing Roberto Firmino in Liverpool training
Five great opening Premier League weekend wins for Liverpool
Firmino missed the rest of our pre-season campaign after taking part in the Copa America with Brazil. However, he hopes that he’ll still have done enough to earn Rodgers’ selection in the first game of the new season.
“I was feeling very well in the first half but got a bit tired in the second half – which I think is normal given it was just my first game,” he told reporters. “I can’t wait to play my first Premier League game in the Liverpool shirt and I hope it all goes our way.”
His countryman, Philippe Coutinho, was full of praise for Firmino earlier this week (via the official website). While our new arrival has been quick to return the compliment, stating that our player of the year has played a big part in helping adapt to life at the club.
“It’s been great – I’m very happy to be at Liverpool,” he said of his first weeks with the club. “Philippe has given me a warm welcome here and that’s a reciprocal sentiment. I’ll also try to help him to the best of my abilities.”