Roberto Firmino became Liverpool’s most expensive signing ever when he joined the club from the Italian side, Sassuolo, for a fee that could rise to over £50m. In his first season at the club, the 25-year-old scored five goals in 29 appearances for the club, including a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the cup. He followed this up with four more goals the following season as Liverpool qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2013.
Firmino’s early life and career
Firmino was born in Montevideo in the north of Uruguay on August 15, 1992. He began his football career at the age of six and joined the youth setup of Peñarol in his hometown at the age of nine. Since then he has represented Uruguay at every level from under-15 to under-23.
After impressing for Montevidean side Cerrito in the Uruguayan Segunda Division, Firmino was invited to train with Liverpool’s Academy in Portugal. He completed an MBA with a sports studies focus at the Harvard Business School in the US and now holds a prestigious sports executive role at Anfield. He also serves as an ambassador for the anti-Aids campaign in Africa.
Firmino is known for being a hard-worker and humble; the latter quality stood out during a pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Barcelona in 2018. When asked about the chances of Liverpool winning the title, he replied: “Nothing is impossible. Anything is possible.”
From novioline to Liverpool’s main team
In 2011, after three seasons with Montevideo Wanderers in the Uruguayan Primera Division, Firmino signed for Italian side Sassuolo. A year later, he joined the youth set-up at Liverpool and made three appearances as a trialist before securing a professional contract. He scored five goals in 29 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A side before leaving in June 2017.
In August 2017, after a difficult season for Liverpool, which saw them qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time since 2013, the club finally confirmed his arrival by appointing him as their captain. The appointment came shortly after he completed a tour of Africa where he attended the opening of a new clinic that provides HIV testing and information to those seeking it.
The new No. 9 shirt
Since making his debut for Liverpool in the Europa League against Zenit Saint Petersburg in August 2015, Firmino has always worn the No. 9 shirt for the club. However, with the introduction of the 20th Anniversary livery this season, Liverpool fans have been treated to a new look. The number has been accompanied by the silhouette of a football in the background with the words ‘Togetherness’ and ‘Unity’ inscribed below.If you are a fan of Roberto Firmino, follow the link below and learn more about him.
“For me, it’s just another shirt,” Firmino said about the new design last year. “I’ve always worn the nine and I always will wear the nine, it’ll be special for sure. I just want to do my best every single game and everything will follow.”
Firmino’s first goals for Liverpool
In his first season at the club, Firmino scored five goals in 29 appearances, including a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the cup. Three of those goals came in the 5-0 demolition of Norwich City in the Premier League, where he also assisted two other goals.
After impressing in his first season, many expected the 25-year-old to hit the ground running and continue his scoring form into his second season. Unfortunately, that was not the case as he struggled to find the net in 11 appearances before being eventually dropped from the first-team.
The following season, Firmino once again found the back of the net four times in 28 appearances – two in the Premier League and two in the FA Cup – and was a key part of the team that helped Liverpool qualify for the Champions League as well as the Europa League. He also managed to score in the group stage of the Champions League for the first time in his career. He followed this up in the new season by scoring five goals in 11 games as Liverpool finished in second place in their group, missing out on automatic qualification for the last-four stage only on the away goal rule.
Antonio Conte’s first impressions of Firmino
Speaking about his goalscoring form, Klopp said: “I think he had the best season of his career. Before the end of the last season, people were talking about him being a top scorer. In reality, he wasn’t far off being top scorer in the Premier League. What’s more is he was a starter in the Premier League and started to score in the FA Cup.”
Klopp continued: “I’m excited about the World Cup. I’ve never played or coached the World Cup. I’ve followed it closely but I’ve never participated in it. For us, it’s very exciting to have the World Cup in Russia this year. It’ll be an incredible experience and I hope the lads look after the fans by playing well.”
Klopp’s comments on Firmino were echoed by Liverpool great, Antonio Conte, who said: “I think this season he had the best season of his career. He showed great maturity and improved a lot as a player. I see him as a very complete forward; he’s good in every aspect of the game – offensive, defensive, creative, and technical. He can play anywhere across the frontline, and this season he showed that. He has great pace and ability to dodge challenges, both on and off the pitch. He’s a very complete player, which is why I think he had such a good season.
“For me, as a manager, he’s a player that I’ve studied a lot. I’ve seen him grow as a person and a player. The amount he’s improved is incredible, he’s developed so much as a person and a player. He’s a top, top striker, there’s no question. He’s definitely one of the best in the world.” By the way, if you are betting on sports and want to get a bonus code, go to https://odds2win.bet/bonuses/pakistan/melbet and collect your bonuses.
Firmino’s importance to Liverpool
Firmino’s importance to Liverpool can be gauged by the number of players he has scored against and the fact that he has found the back of the net in nine of Liverpool’s 12 home games this season. The Uruguayan international now has 135 goals and 47 assists in 274 appearances for the Reds and can play anywhere across the frontline – either as a centre-forward or as a attacking midfielder – showing great composure and intelligence.
Injuries have halted his first-team appearances recently, but he has featured in two cup games so far this season. When asked if he would like to play at least 50 games this season, Firmino replied: “Of course, but sometimes bad luck happens. At the moment, I don’t know what’s going to happen. Hopefully, I’ll be back soon and help the team.”
Although Liverpool have shown great faith in their new signing, there have been criticisms too. In a season of change, with Klopp and his coaching staff ushering in a new way of playing, the expectations placed on the former Sampdoria and Inter striker are high. Just one season under Klopp and the pressure is on to deliver.
