PLAYING WITH PAL FIRMINO WILL BE FAB!
FABINHO claims Brazil pal Roberto Firmino can help him hit the ground running at Liverpool.
Fabinho quizzed Firmino (below) about Liverpool and the city before sealing his £45million move from Monaco to become the Reds’ first summer signing this week.
The 6ft 2in defensive midfielder says that having the Samba striker in the Liverpool dressing room will be a huge boost when he officially joins on July 1.
“Yes, I spoke to him,” said Fabinho. “We spoke a bit more about how the city was and about the infrastructure of the club.
“We also spoke about the coaches and how they do their work. So I was able to know a bit more about Liverpool through Firmino.
“He and I have been with the Brazil national team on a few occasions. I know he’s a fantastic person, his background is from nice people.
“He is also very good for someone coming to a new country, a new city because he is someone who speaks the same language. This will, of course, make the adaptation much easier.”
Fabinho’s signing has lifted the mood around Anfield, following the heartbreak of losing Saturday’s Champions League Final and he is adamant he can win trophies with Jurgen Klopp’s side. The 24-year-old has seen how Klopp has improved Firmino and believes he can also blossom under him.
“I came to Liverpool because I wanted to leave Monaco for an ambitious club, a club that plays to win every competition,” he said.
“Liverpool is one of these teams. I will try to create my own history at this football club.
“Hopefully, I can win titles with this club. I will try to grow and learn and improve myself.
“I’ve been following Liverpool for a few years, especially when Firmino arrived. After he came here, he was able to achieve higher development at this football club. He had success and I hope the same happens to me.
“I’m still young, so I have a lot to learn in football and with Klopp I will have the chance to carry on growing and to keep learning.”
Fabinho missed out on joining Firmino in Brazil’s World Cup squad and is gutted that he cannot be at Anfield on Sunday for his national team’s friendly against Croatia.
He booked a holiday once he knew he was not going to Russia and said: “Unfortunately, I will be on holiday.
“I have my journey booked with my family. If I had been aware that Brazil were playing here, I would have stayed here to watch the match.”