Firmino hails Klopp influence

Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino says he hopes that he can become Liverpool’s answer to Neymar, with the help of boss Jurgen Klopp. Firmino was signed for the Reds by previous coach Brendan Rodgers, but knew Klopp well from his time at Hoffenheim. Klopp was a big admirer of Firmino and has revealed that he tried […]
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sambafoot_admin
2016-09-19 16:04:00

Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino says he hopes that he can become Liverpool’s answer to Neymar, with the help of boss Jurgen Klopp. Firmino was signed for the Reds by previous coach Brendan Rodgers, but knew Klopp well from his time at Hoffenheim.

Klopp was a big admirer of Firmino and has revealed that he tried to bring him to Dortmund once or twice. Now the pair are working together, the Brazilian hopes to match the stature of his Seleção teammate and icon Neymar Junior.

Firmino, who was recalled into the Brazil squad recently, revealed to the Daily Mail, “I know what he wants from a player. When I heard that he was coming to be Liverpool manager, I was so pleased. I could not have been happier.

“I knew what he was going to bring here. He brought a style of work and play from Germany and the team has adapted to it. Our friendship is crystal clear. There is nothing behind it. He is a great person. If you do what he asks you to do, you will never let him down. Can he make me the Neymar of Liverpool? It all depends on me.”

Firmino also revealed that he started out as a defender and that his transformation into an attacker happened late in his teens, “I started out as a defender. I played as a full-back and then I moved into the centre. I played defence right the way through until the Under-18s. Honestly!”

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