Roberto Firmino impresses Rodgers and Ings
Liverpool fans haven't seen much of Roberto Firmino, but those who work with him on a daily basis assure supporters they'll like what they see from the Brazilian playmaker.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and striker Danny Ings both praised Firmino this weekend for the mix of talent and application he’s showing at his new team. Firmino is just 11 minutes into his Liverpool career, having joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim in July. Rodgers nevertheless plans to increase Firmino’s playing time in the coming days and weeks.
“He’s building up his fitness really well,” Rodgers said Saturday in his pregame press conference ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League game against Bournemouth on Monday. “He’s a guy that helps himself because he trains to the maximum every single day and he’s coming along very, very well.
“He’s a good guy as well and every aspect of life here in Liverpool, he’s thrown himself into -- both football and language. He is working very, very hard and he’s getting close.”
Ings, another of the Reds’ summer signings, didn’t need more than a couple of weeks to proclaim Firmino’s talents in a public forum.
“He’s fantastic, technically gifted and you can see his knowledge of the game a mile off,” Ings said Sunday, according to LiverpoolFC.com. “He’s an exciting player that I can learn from. His technical ability is fantastic and his movement. I’m sure he’s going to excite a lot of people this season.”
Ings joins Ronaldinho in predicting Firmino and Philippe Coutinho will make magic in Liverpool’s midfield. Ings’ reasons for excitement about the Firmino-Coutinho partnership extend beyond mere viewing pleasure. Ings hopes the Brazilian duo will create a wealth of goal-scoring chances for him to finish.
“When you’ve got players like (Coutinho and Firmino) behind you, it’s fantastic,” Ings continued.” At the same time, you need to make sure you’re making those runs otherwise you won’t get the ball. It’s a real pleasure to work with players of that high technical class and ability.”
Firmino, 23, can look forward to a bright Anfield future, which appears closer to being “now” than some distant concept.
Source: NESN
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