Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho both are young, gifted and Brazilian. Their countryman, Ronaldinho, believes they can form an eye-popping partnership at Liverpool.
Ronaldinho said Wednesday said the presence of Firmino and Coutinho, both 23, will make Liverpool’s midfield one of the “most exciting” in all of the soccer world, according to The Mirror and The Liverpool Echo.
Liverpool signed Firmino from Hoffenheim on Wednesday, and the Brazilian playmaker will feature alongside Coutinho — the Reds’ player of the season in 2014-15 — when the club takes the field next term.
Ronaldinho said the two Brazilians will increase the number of scoring chances Liverpool creates and boost the Reds’ overall prospects.
“For Liverpool to have Coutinho and Firmino is a big achievement for them,” Ronaldinho said. “It is going to give them one of the most exciting midfields in Europe.
“The creativity, intelligence and goals they have between them can change Liverpool as a team. It is a big sign of intent. To have a midfield with those two gives them a big chance to qualify for the (UEFA) Champions League next season.
“It is a dream for the Liverpool strikers to have that sort of service. If you can’t score goals in a team with Coutinho and Firmino in midfield, then you won’t score goals in any team. They will create so many chances.”
Firmino scored seven goals and assisted on 10 more in 33 Bundesliga (German first division) games for Hoffenheim last season. Coutinho scored five goals and assisted five more in 35 Premier League games last season.
Firmino officially will join Liverpool — subject to him passing a physical exam and acquiring a work permit — early next month. Liverpool fans already are dreaming about what Firmino will add to their team, and Ronaldinho’s comments only will stoke their collective imagination.
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Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@BrazilStats
