Player Focus: Flamboyant Firmino Will Bring Carnival Atmosphere to Liverpool
A little after a week from Roger Wittmann confirming that his client would be transferring to an English club, Liverpool confirmed they had agreed a deal with Hoffenheim for Roberto Firmino. The reported fee, with all the trimmings, would be the most expensive transfer in Bundesliga history, but the 23-year-old may just be worth the hype. Then a brace-clad teenager, he joined Hoffenheim at just 19 from Brazilian side Figueirense FC, and despite initially struggling with language barriers, his ascent to becoming one of the stars of the Bundesliga has been an alarming one.
Hoffenheim, known for their quick tempo and 'we'll outscore you' approach, have provided the perfect platform for their Brazilian playmaker to flourish. And if it wasn't down to their inconsistency throughout the season, they may well have been in Europe, finishing just 4 points off of a Europa League spot. Their rise in the league has almost paralleled that of Firmino's, who impressively has directly contributed towards 36% of all of Hoffenheim's league goals in the past two seasons.
Only Thomas Muller (46) and Robert Lewandowski (48) have contributed towards more goals for their clubs than Firmino, with 44 in that time. That’s more than star players such as Arjen Robben, Marco Reus and Pierre- Emerick Aubayeyang, who have been playing for two of the strongest clubs in Europe in their own right. Liverpool fans will be hoping he can make a significant contribution to their side, struggling to find the net as much as they would've hoped, averaging just 1.3 goals per match in the league last season.
You only have to glance at Firmino's personal website to notice his extravagant personality, often dying his hair and wearing loud colours, and his public image certainly mirrors his flamboyancy on the pitch. His ability to glide past players with the occasional flick and trick, is unequivocally Brazilian, so it's little surprise that he has completed the most successful dribbles (287) in the league since 2013/14, 30 more than any other player.
Alongside his partner-in-crime, Kevin Volland, the duo were the heart of Markus Gisdol's Hoffenheim's side. Their pulsating bursts forward and one touch passes in the final 3rd are traits that led himself and Volland to create 37% of the team's total chances from open play last season. Only Wolfsburg star Kevin De Bruyne, has created more clear cut chances in the last 2 seasons in the league (34) than Firmino (31). In addition, Firmino has also made the most accurate through balls in that period (22), proving he has an eye for a penetrative pass and the ability to slice open defences, which will surely benefit the pace of Daniel Sturridge in behind the opposition backline.
Firmino isn’t one to shy away from responsibility either - as soon as the number ten shirt became vacant at the Sinsheim club, Firmino made sure he was the first in line to take on a number that holds great significance for any Brazilian. At 21, Firmino even made his debut as captain, albeit in the temporary absence of former skipper Andreas Beck, scoring 6 goals in a friendly match against Ketsch eV.
Hoffenheim's defensive record was signalled out as a cause for improvement after conceding 70 goals in 2013/14, and Gisdol's side looked to defend from the front last time around. Indeed, Firmino made more tackles than any other attacking midfielder in Europe's top 5 leagues last season (81), which, given his attacking involvement, is quite the feat. Liverpool lacked the urgency in their press last season that proved to be so effective the season previous, and Firmino may well reignite this - although he has been singled out at times by Gisdol for occasionally losing focus when required to track back.
Firmino spoke of the heartbreak of missing out on the Seleção’s World Cup squad, but used this rejection as motivation towards another bounteous season for Hoffenheim. It’s a similar story to that of Liverpool's fans’ Player of the Season, and representative from the PFA Team of the Year, Philippe Coutinho. Both have since deservedly been called up to the international side by Dunga for the Copa America. Coutinho excited the masses with his effective dribbling and eye opening passes last season, and any potential partnership will be a mouth-watering prospect for Reds fans, who have already seen glimpses of this during Brazil's Copa America campaign.
As to whether Firmino will be Raheem Sterling's replacement is yet to be seen, but his versatility would have been a key determinant towards Liverpool's thinking. Usually given the freedom to roam the pitch, he has ability to play anywhere across the front 3, even making a handful of starts up front. Although both finished on the same goal tally in the league last season, Firmino looks a player more confident in front of goal, encapsulated by his no-look finish against Werder Bremen.
No stranger to the spectacular goal, his unconventional volley from outside the box in 2013/14 will certainly live long in the memory of Hoffenheim fans, who will be hoping their goal theme will continue to echo around the Wirsol Rhein-Neckar-Arena just as much following his departure.
Firmino might occasionally get outmuscled, but he has the tenacity to deal with it and in theory shouldn't struggle in the Premier League given its similarities to the Bundesliga. Firmino is known to over complicate things from time-to-time, which may frustrate fans, but with his influence on the ball, he should be given the benefit of the doubt.
It's a significant transfer for Liverpool, and one that shows great intent, especially after missing out on a number of top targets in previous windows. Firmino will be hoping to add a bit more samba and spice to the Merseysiders, who is not only a real coup for the club but an exciting addition to Premier League fans in general.
Will Firmino prove worthy of the price tag at Anfield? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
@Dinesh Can i ask? when you wrote this article, how many matches of Firmino have you watched? Yes!!!!! Exactly, then you write the heading 'Firmino Will Bring Carnival Atmosphere to Liverpool'. I can't take this writer seriously, he wants to get hits on his article, so he jumps on the bandwagon. Don't try to fool the readers please.
well the problem with bundesliga is that they sell their players cheap which is quite sad. Matip was valued 7 million and hummels at 28 and howedes who is as good as hummels is valued is 13 million. Compare that thorgan who was not regualr but got 7 million. De Bruyne at 18(based on his good but not excellent season at bremen), schrulle at 30 million (he was bought 18 million.) The germans clubs do not how to do business.
@Ffaris the players just aren't as good as you think they are.... I get it you're a Bundesliga fan boy but look at de Bruyne and schurrle they weren't good enough for the prem but are top performers in the Bundesliga.
Firmino is an average player, just like coutinho. Liverpool always spend (waste) lots of money for these player, they should buy fewer and better players.
@Mattia Coutinho and Firmino are the top class players.. Have you even read the article.. You can expect Barcelona coming for Coutinho next season..
@Mattia well u can't expect them to attract messi or ronaldo all the time. That would huge amount of money. Look at how expensive Lucas Moura was. He is also just good player and not world class.
1st Markovic has 8 substitution. If we consider only when he starts he has a 6,98 rating. Which is not really good but much better. 2nd, the lad almost never played in his favor position. And moreover, knowing he played in a more defensive position than the other 4 the fact he has as much key passes than them is quite impressive.
If they lose Sterling, which is looking very likely, then they aren't really going forward, are they?
@What4 honestly i can tell u he twice the player sterling will ever be. He is most creative player in bundesliga.
@Ffaris Firmino and Coutinho are 23, Sterling is 20, it's not really a fair comparison at the moment, because at 20 Sterling is still a kid, but 23 is genereally when players start maturing. Not so long ago Liverpool fans were saying he would walk in any team in the country, now all of a sudden Sterling isn't all that, I'm sure that has nothing to do with bitter Scousers all over the place.
@What4 well its not really fair. U know u most of the ppl overhype their player look how ppl were overhyping players that were playing in under 21 euros this year. Sterling for all his worth is rich man version of andros townsend. He got good dribbling that is for sure but his end product is not desireable. We have that kind of player in bundesliga with hamburg his name was Gokhan Tore the first person who out dribbled messi and he was only 19 yrs at that point. He did not last a season there. Where Firmino since he was ninteen was top performer. Sterling unfortnately at the age 20 and he will be 21 this year is still too young. Coutinho plz this year he having good season which is above average. He flamboyant that is for sure like sterling. He is not productive either. PLZ Im not Scouser. In fact i don't even follow English League(Ovverated One not even the best) neither i intend to in the future. I just came to clear thing up about this firmino fellow.
@What4 Just seen you wrote 'Sterlng' in your graphic.