Firmino 'adapability' is key to success for Liverpool new boy

Roberto Firmino has the "adaptability" on and off the field to be a Liverpool success, according to South American football expert Tim Vickery.

"He's quick, he's versatile, and he's intelligent," Vickery told Sky Sports News HQ. "When he was first picked for the Brazilian national team last November, he was an unknown to the vast majority of Brazil's football public.  

"Since then, he's looked very impressive. He's shown many virtues, and he looks like a player who is developing very nicely indeed." 

Firmino spent just one full season with Figueirense in Brazil's Serie B before moving to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in 2010. 

And Vickery believes this bodes well for the 23-year-old's chances of succeeding in England following his £21.3million move to Anfield.

"He's not a natural attention seeker. He's a very shy character, one who transforms himself when he goes onto the football field. If this was a shy lad coming straight out of Brazil, perhaps you would worry a little bit that it would be a little bit too much for him.

"But the fact he's gone to Germany and thrived in that atmosphere, that's good news for Liverpool fans because he's shown adaptability off the field as well." 

'Movement'

Suggesting that Firmino could be deployed as a "false nine", Vickery also compared the Brazilian to former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez: "In Firmino you have someone who is extremely mobile," he said.

"If you look at the excellence of Suarez's movement at Barcelona, how he hangs on the shoulder of the last defender and enables the team to stretch the game and create space for Messi and Neymar, 

"Perhaps that's something Liverpool were lacking a little last year, so maybe Brendan Rodgers is thinking of using the mobility of Firmino as an option for playing up top. But he can also play off the shoulder of a target man striker, so it's a very versatile forward that Liverpool have bought."  

And Vickery feels Neymar's suspension at the Copa America could provide an opportunity for Liverpool midfielder Coutinho to link up with his new team-mate.

"The problem that Coutinho has had is that his position is Neymar's position, but this really is a chance for Coutinho to come in and play in his natural position and start to build up a relationship with Firmino that will serve Liverpool well next season." 

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