Bundesliga expert Jonathan Walsh gives Liverpool fans the lowdown on what exactly to expect from the club's latest signing - £29 million forward Roberto Firmino.
With Nathaniel Clyne soon set to be announced asLiverpool's sixth signing of the summer - a fair few have been left surprised, and suitably impressed, at the way in which the Reds have gone about their business.
Three swift free agent signings, were followed by the addition of Joe Gomez as a promising young defender - but undoubtedly the biggest move of the Merseyside club's summer has been Roberto Firmino.
The £29 million attacking playmaker was signed amidst his Brazilian national team's Copa America campaign in Chile, but arrives fromHoffenheim touted as one of the Reds' finest signings in recent years.
Having scored 32 goals and created 37 assists in 73 league and cup appearances for Hoffenheim over the last two last seasons, the expectations for Firmino are high - but can he live up to the pressure of his big money move to England?
VAVEL Liverpool spoke to Jonny Walsh - VAVEL's editor-in-chief an expert on all things Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, to get his opinions on what Liverpool can expect from Firmino in the 2015-16 campaign and beyond.
Q: First and foremost, for those who haven’t watched much Bundesliga football over the past few years, how good is Roberto Firmino?
JW: Firmino is an excellent talent. For Manchester United, who have an abundance of attacking midfield talent, to be so interested in him along with some of Europe’s other top clubs - it speaks volumes for his talents. He’s been a staple of a Hoffenheim team, though much maligned, who play fast, attractive football and that’s something that should fit in well with Liverpool’s play. His partnership with Kevin Volland has been great and the two have worked well together in attack - he’ll hopefully strike up a similar partnership with fellow countryman Philippe Coutinho.
Q: His goals and assists tally for Hoffenheim over the past two seasons is very impressive, but aside from his creativity and his eye for goal, what are his outstanding qualities?
JW: Firmino is incredibly determined to succeed and his drive and determination should be a big factor in whether he does well in England. His vision to pick a pass where others wouldn’t see one is very important, and his ability to make something happen out of nothing is also a major plus. While he is creative, which is a given for an attacking midfield, he is always willing to try something to create that spark. Firmino will get bums off seats at Anfield and he may be frustrating at the start, but when there are no-look finishes in pressure situations and similar shows of brilliance, that initial trial period will be all worth it.
Q: Is the £29 million (£21m up-front) fee that the Reds have paid fair? Or is it a little overinflated?
JW: It speaks volumes that it’s the most expensive ever Bundesliga transfer fee - even Mario Götze went for less (if the exchange rates carried over). It probably is a little inflated and given Hoffenheim are only, apparently, going to reinvest €6m of that says a lot. However, that’s the premium which teams have to pay for such talented youngsters nowadays and given the numbers being branded about for Raheem Sterling and fellow English players - this isn’t a comparison - it could be deemed savvy business if Firmino can live up to his potential.
Q: How will he handle the pressure and expectation of being Liverpool's second most-expensive signing? Also, will Firmino be able to adjust to the Premier League quickly?
JW: It’s a massive burden and there isn’t any hiding. Anfield is a supportive place though and, while things may not have gone well last season, he needs to be given time to adapt. He could hit the ground running and surprise everyone, though Firmino is coming from a completely different world in Germany. Sinsheim, where Hoffenheim are based, has a population of just over 30,000 and Hoffenheim itself has a mere 3000 inhabitants. So switching from that to the hustle and bustle of England, especially a city like Liverpool, could be a shock to the system. Firmino is a relaxed guy and seems to get on well with most people, a bit like most fun-loving Brazilians, so he will hopefully adjust quickly. Coutinho and Lucas Leiva will be key to speeding up that bedding in time.
Q: Firmino is known for his impressive versatility, but in what position is he at his best?
JW: 100%, without any doubt, it’s playing behind the striker. Even though Hoffenheim haven’t been blessed with the greatest of forwards, he has still managed to set them up to edge up the goalscoring charts. If Daniel Sturridge manages to get/stay fit, then the two could strike up a fantastic partnership. They could be deadly on the counter, or Firmino’s vision could unlock defences for Sturridge to run on to with his blistering pace. However, Liverpool already have Coutinho and it’d be hard to leave either one out of the team. Therefore, what does Rodgers do? Any Bundesliga fan would suggest that he’s slightly less effective out wide, and it would be hard not to agree. He can, and has, played as a false nine with Kevin Volland this season. Firmino, Coutinho, Sterling (if he stays) and Sturridge as a very fluid front four would a tough proposition for any defence to deal with. Ideally, Rodgers will fit both in. At the beginning, it could be Firmino that takes precedence in the line-up due to that hefty price tag.
Q: In your opinion, was Liverpool the best option for Firmino? Or would another club like Manchester United or Manchester City, have been a better fit?
JW: As much as Liverpool fans won’t like to hear it, manager-wise, United could have been a great fit. Louis van Gaal has experience in the Bundesliga and now knows what is required to make the change from Germany to England, so that could have been a big factor in his development. City have obviously been after Kevin de Bruyne and already have David Silva. So while it could have be tough to displace United’s attacking talent, he probably would have been in a better position to compete against them. That leaves Liverpool, and, on the face of it, they seem to be the best club for him. A youthful squad thatBrendan Rodgers is only making younger looks to be a place settle down and establish himself at the club.
Q: Do you think the Brazilian represents as big a coup as Liverpool fans are suggesting he is?
JW: Liverpool fans have every reason to be happy that they’ve signed Firmino. As previously stated, the club have reportedly beat off United for his signature. To see a club swoop in for a major target of their rival, who has Champions League football, and get them is no small feat. Aside from that, the reasons above are just fuel to that fire of excitement - and the fans have every right to be happy. The signings last season weren’t good enough, but with the additions ofJames Milner, Danny Ings and soon-to-be Nathaniel Clyne, it looks like Rodgers has finally done the business he needed (and Liverpool fans wanted) him to do.
Q: Finally, do you think Firmino will be a success at Anfield?
JW: When everything is tallied up and added together, it does seem like Firmino is set to be a hit on Merseyside. His style will excite fans and that’s never a bad thing to do at Anfield. The only doubt is over how long he takes to adapt to the English culture and game. If he can do that quickly, Liverpool should be on to a winner.
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez through to Copa America final
Following a 2-1 victory against Peru, the Gunner will now look to win their first ever continental title in Chilean football.
Alexis Sanchez's Chile are through to a Copa America final for the first time since 1987 as they look to capture their maiden international title on home soil. The match will take place in Santiago, where they have played all their matches going into Saturday's match, but it's all up to the Gunners to recapture his fine form at Arsenal during his debut season if he wants to capture the Copa America, but it's all been a bit disapointing for the Chilean going into this tournament.
He has played second fiddle in regards to his performances on the pitch as after a tough Premier League debut season. Arturo Vidal, Eduardo Vargas and Jorge Valdivia have all had amazing performances as the former is currently the top goalscorer and assist leader going into Chile's big match on Saturday. Chile need theArsenal forward to recover his best form as they try to end an almost century-long wait for a first Copa América, according to coach Jorge Sampaoli.
“When Alexis is not in the fullness of form that he is used to, Chile feel it,” Sampaoli said. If he is feeling good, he’s the most decisive player in this team. We must recover him well because he’s vital to us,” added the Argentinian.
Sanchez's Copa America performances have been below par
Sanchez has shown flashes of his class but has contributed only one of Chile’s 13 goals in five matches and provided an assist as well. Their run of matches included the three matches in Group A; a 2-0 win over Ecuador, 3-3 against Mexico and 5-0 against Bolivia. The knockout stage included the 1-0 quarter-final win against Uruguayand the 2-1 semi-final win against Peru.
Whether it will be Argentina or Paraguay they will be facing in the final, it will surely be a special one for the Chileans and Sanchez in particular as he will about to play, not only the most important match of his life but the most important in Chile's footballing history.
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