It has been a tough introduction to life in England for Roberto Firmino.
Since arriving from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for a reported fee of €41 million in July, the 23 year-old has struggled to impact.
His role in representing Brazil at the Copa América, which was held in Chile and ran from 11th June to 4th July, ensured he was always likely to be unaccustomed with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers approach in the short-term and that has so far played out.
This season, Firmino has featured six times in the Premier League, with three of those appearances coming as a substitute and his time on the pitch totalling 239 minutes.
He is yet to contribute either a goal or an assist and Liverpool have not won a game in which he has started.
The stats, admittedly, do not sit favourably for Firmino, who is yet to find his best position in a side that he is not only struggling for results, but also an identity.
Wednesday’s Football League Cup third round tie at home to Carlisle United could however, be a turning point for both Firmino and Liverpool.
The midfielder featured for just 18 minutes in the weekend draw with Norwich City and, as such, would expect to have a notable role against Carlisle.
The Football League Two outfit shocked Championship level Queens Park Rangers in the second round, but their vulnerable defence – they have conceded 17 goals so far this season, the most in League Two – could give Firmino a chance to showcase his undoubted talent in the final third.
His record from earlier in his career suggests he can flourish. At Hoffenheim, he averaged around a goal every three games, with his assist record at about one in four.
Those stats back up his credentials, as does his return of four goals in eleven appearances for Brazil.
With Liverpool facing big matches against the likes of Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and Chelsea next month, this could be Firmino’s best chance to stake a claim for a starting berth in those fixtures.
A prominent performance at Anfield would also be the perfect way to announce himself in English football.
