Roberto Firmino has established himself as one of the best strikers in Europe (Getty Images)
The talented Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino joined Liverpool FC from Hoffenheim, where he was playing four and a half seasons, in 2015 for a fee of 41 million EUR.
After a period of adjustment to the Premier League, he became a fan favourite, scoring and making goals under manager JurgenKlopp and being a key part of Liverpool’s attack alongside Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
The current market value of the Brazilian is estimated at 72 million EUR byTransfermarkt, which makes him the seventh most expensive player currently playing for Liverpool FC.
So far this season he played and scored five goals and made three assists. He was playing in all games the Reds played this season. Firmino has been rated as the best player multiple times by WhoScored. For example in the match against Tottenham his rating was 8.5.
On December 23rd he was leading WhoScored’s form ranking for the last six appearances with an average rating of 7.91 for the last six matches and 7.27 for the season up until that point:
Firmino had scored four goals and provided an assist in the last six league games at that point of time.
The BBC journalist, Tim Vickery, elaborated eloquently on how and why Roberto ‘Bobby’ Firmino has been under-estimated in Brazil. One of the likely reasons is actually that they have only recently been getting to know him.
Firmino moved abroad very young. He never played for a glamorous Brazilian club and never appeared in the first division. He was a virtual unknown when he moved to Germany soon after his 19th birthday. And the club he joined – Hoffenheim – were flying under the radar in Brazil.
Secondly, it seems clear that Firmino has not been used well since he made his way into the Brazil starting line-up.
The Brazilian has been converted into one of the world’s best centre-forwards by JurgenKlopp.
While chants about Mohamed Salah’s exploits on the wing and ‘Allez, Allez, Allez’ often reverberate around Anfield, there’s an even catchier tune to be heard coming from the Kop.
After putting the ball into the back of the net, Firmino cups his hand to his ear as if expecting Reds fans to belt out the chant.
He is a big fan of it and even had Si Senor stitched into his boots last year.
‘Bobby’ Firmino is on course to be fit for the Champions League final against Tottenham after returning to training during the club’s break in Marbella.
Firmino was the first player to arrive on the south coast of Spain for some individual sessions with strength and rehabilitation staff.
He took part in the Reds’ first session of their Marbella training camp on Tuesday morning as he works his way back to full fitness.
Firmino has been working with the club’s medical staff on his rehabilitation from the issue and his reintroduction into full team training will be carefully managed under their supervision, with specialised programmes planned over the coming days.