Prem team next please
FIRMINO WANTS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SHOWDOWN WITH AN ENGLISH SIDE
ROBERTO FIRMINO has sent out a confident and defiant Champions League message, saying: “Bring on the English clubs!”
Liverpool have no reason to fear any team in Europe in next Friday’s quarter-final draw.
But the Brazilian wants a Premier League opponent because, under Jurgen Klopp, they have shown they have the beating of ALL their big-name rivals.
Firmino said: “Yes, we’d like a draw against an English club.
“We have shown in the past few seasons we can beat all the English clubs. Our record is good against them.
“We feel we have played well against the top English clubs and shown we can beat them. But we are not afraid of anyone in the draw.”
Firmino has enjoyed a fine second half to the season, not only being recognised as one of the most versatile and influential strikers in the Premier League, but also securing a confirmed spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
Despite competition from Neymar and Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus (right), national team coach Tite has already confirmed the Liverpool striker is guaranteed a place in his squad for Russia this summer... and has also suggested he can play a huge role for the Samba stars. But Firmino insists only success for Liverpool can help his World Cup aims, adding: “I am in magical form and my numbers speak for themselves, but I need to keep doing it to keep myself on Tite’s radar. “It is nice he said that and I am happy to be part of the squad – but that is a long away ahead. The season is not over, I have my objectives with Liverpool and I want to concentrate on them. “If I can do well, then that will be important for my position in the (national team) squad. There is still a lot to play for. We are in the Champions League and we believe we deserve to be in there. “Liverpool want to win a trophy. We are all concentrating on that and that is the aim at this stage. “We are doing well in the Premier League and we want that to continue. “And we are now in the Champions League quarter-final and we want that to continue as well.”