Hamann: Firmino won't be bullied in PL

The Reds announced on Wednesday that the 23-year-old will join the club subject to a medical that will be undertaken following the conclusion of Brazil's Copa America campaign.

Firmino has spent the last four-and-a-half seasons lighting up the German top flight with Hoffenheim, and Hamann has followed the forward's exploits in his homeland closely.

As a keen admirer of the player, the former midfielder has no doubts that he will fit straight into English football thanks to his 'strength and mentality'.

"I've seen a lot of Firmino and he's a player I like a lot," the German told the Liverpool Echo.

"He's Brazilian but he has played in Germany for a number of years and I've been impressed by how he has developed.

"I've spoken to people who have worked with him and they say he won't be bullied. He has got more of a European than a Brazilian mentality.

"He is very skilful but he also has the strength and the mentality to survive in the Premier League.

"I watched him a number of times for Hoffenheim last season and I'm sure he will be able to handle playing in England. The Bundesliga is not a league where they don't tackle, the games are physical.

"I played with Elano at Manchester City and from what I see and hear he reminds me of him as a person. He's able to protect himself."

Firmino is already familiar with one of his new colleagues at Anfield - Brazil teammate Philippe Coutinho.

The pair have linked up impressively during the ongoing Copa America in Chile but Hamann is adamant that fans should not expect to welcome a Coutinho clone to the club.

"Physically, he's stronger than Coutinho and he's more direct," he explained.

"When he travels with the ball, he can beat a player one v one.

"Coutinho and Adam Lallana like to set things out and bring others into play. But Firmino is more direct and he will look to finish himself.

"He will create chances for others but he will also score goals. He has good pace and can beat a player. Liverpool lacked pace going forward last season.

"He has played some games up front but that was more to do with Hoffenheim not having a centre-forward who was scoring goals regularly.

"I think he might be more effective out wide for Liverpool. I think he will be more effective than a Coutinho out there.

"Coutinho lights up the middle with his vision. Firmino's strengths are a bit different.

"His pace is a big asset and on top of that he's very skilful and can finish. He might play some games through the middle but I think out wide will probably be his position."

Hamann also hailed the acquisition of Firmino as a 'statement of intent' following a disappointing conclusion to the 2014-15 campaign.

He believes the former Figueirense starlet's arrival will boost morale at Anfield going into the new season.

"To be honest, he's the type of player I thought Liverpool wouldn't be able to get without Champions League football," he added.

"To get him is a real statement of intent and hopefully there will be two or three more big signings to come.

"I think people have been a bit disheartened over the past six weeks or so.

"Expectations had gone down and I was worried that Liverpool would go into the new season on a low.

"We've needed a spark from somewhere and this signing has given supporters the boost they needed.

"This is the type of signing to pick the fans up and make them look forward with optimism. You want to have high expectations.

"When I heard that Liverpool had got the deal over the line it certainly put a smile on my face."