Prior to the disastrous 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign, most Brazilians had never heard of Roberto Firmino, a Brazilian footballer who hade been playing at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga for the last three years.

So, who is he? Well, Firmino came to Germany at the age of 19 from Figueirense and even then, Hoffenheim manager Ernst Tanner knew that this player would be a rising talent in the next couple of years - insisting the club were "pleased to have a great Brazilian talent" on their hands.

Impressive progress in Germany 

In his first season at the club, he scored three times in 11 matches - a fairly amicable effort for his first year in a new country. Things only improved for Firmino.

The next season, he featured in 33 games and scored seven times, which included goals against the likes of Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach. His third year was again successful, making 36 appearances and scoring seven goals in 2012-13. 

His best was still yet to come, and he showed that in the 2013-14 campaign - which would turn out to be his best season at the Germany club where he scored 22 goals in 37 matches, which saw him tied as the fourth highest scorer in the league - with 16 goals, and he was awarded the Bundesliga's breakthrough player as a result.

To the delight of Hoffenheim, the club extended his contract for another three years. Last year, Firmino also scored 10 goals in 36 matches, ending his Hoffenheim career with 153 matches and 49 goals.

Firmino growing in importance for Brazil 

After Dunga took over from Luiz Felipe Scolari as Brazil boss following the World Cup failure, he rewarded Firmino for his superb form with his first call up, for two international friendlies.

He debuted in a 4–0 win over Turkey last November, replacing fellow debutant Luiz Adriano for the last 17 minutes and scored his first goal only six days later, against Austria in a 2–1 win.

He continued to impress for the Selecao, producing great performances against France and Chile, the latter in which he scored against in a friendly at the Emirates back in March.

At the start of 2015, he was understandably a huge favourite to be included in Dunga's squad for the Copa America, and so he was - scoring in the friendly against Honduras before jetting off to Chile.

So far, so good. He even made it five goals in nine international games with a 52nd minute effort over Venezuela, after also featuring against Peru and Colombia.

During that course, various clubs in England were interested in him, such as Liverpool and Arsenal. But in the end, the Merseyside club won the race and now Firmino will join fellow Brazilians Lucas Leiva and Philippe Coutinho in the midfield.

What does he have to offer Liverpool?

He is a player that is both mobile and versatile, either up top on his own or dropping off in the midfield - Firmino is capable of playing across the front-three, but is best behind the striker in a no.10 role.

Firmino has plenty of attacking qualities, from his dribbling to his shooting - and his vision and passing means he can be as creative as he is deadly in front of goal.

Should Liverpool play with a 4-3-3 formation, which would likely see Emre Can at defensive midfield, joining new signing James Miller and captain Jordan Henderson in the centre of midfield.

Philippe Coutinho and Firmino playing in a fluid and interchanging central attacking role to support either Danny Ings or possibly Carlos Bacca if he goes to Liverpool from Sevilla, with Daniel Sturridge set to miss out on the start of the season due to hip surgery.

There is also the idea that he is the correct replacement for Raheem Sterling, if the wantaway 2014 European Golden Boy does leave, and Firmino would replace the Englishman as either an attacking midfielder, centrally or even out wide - depending on what formation Brendan Rodgers opts for.

But certainly, Firmino is someone that can both create and score goals, something the club have desperately tried to find since the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona. While the Brazilian is not exactly at that same level, he certainly is someone that can provided similar attributes to the Uruguayan.

All hype aside, at 23-years-old, Roberto Firmino is a hugely promising prospect for the Premier League, Brazil, and Liverpool. His ability and versatility, to play various positions - from up-front to attacking midfield and his sheer natural ability to add goals and assists, make him a major coup for the Reds.

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About the author
Roberto Rojas
Writing about the beautiful game. Cohost of the @LowLimitFutbol Podcast.