Coleman’s China fight
ROBERTO FIRMINO has roared out a warning to champions Manchester City that Liverpool are going all-out to take their crown this season.
Fans at Anfield are on a high after their club spent £177million in the transfer window – then thumped West Ham on the opening day.
Now, as they travel to Crystal Palace tomorrow, Brazilian star Firmino has spoken more emphatically than ever about how Jurgen Klopp’s side believe they are good enough to win the title.
“I am optimistic and I believe Liverpool are capable of fighting for the greatest success this season,” insisted the striker, who scored 27 goals in all competitions last year as Liverpool finished fourth
“I also think we have a better team than last season and that the new players will improve the performance of the team.
“Of course, we know we have to show it on the field and we know that, for our new players, it is not easy to adapt quickly to a new team. But I always think positively.
“We have shown in the last campaign that our dreams can be fulfilled and that we can return to the path of winning titles. This year, we must not fail and that is the attitude of the players.
“Certainly, my dream is to lift the Premier League trophy with Liverpool – and that’s what we are trying to do.”
After three years at Anfield, Firmino is well aware of what achieving that dream would mean to Liverpool fans who have never seen their team lift the Premier League trophy.
The last time Liverpool were top-flight champions was back in 1989-90 in the days of Alan Hansen and Ian Rush (right).
But it is the support he has received from the club’s legendary supporters on the Kop that keeps Firmino so motivated.
“When people ask what my ambitions are for the rest of my career, I always say that I live in the present,” he said.
“I don’t look at more than what we have in front of us in the next few days.
“I’m only interested in Liverpool and winning everything I can with them. We have the best supporters in the world here, they are amazing – and there are Liverpool fans in every part of the planet.
“So we know what it would mean to be champions.”
Firmino – linked with Barcelona at the start of the year – certainly doesn’t seem like a player who has any interest in playing outside of Merseyside.
In fact, he seems to have Liverpool red running through his veins.
“Everyone hears stories about what it means to be a Liverpool player, but, until you live it personally, you cannot really understand it,” he insisted.
“In my whole life, I never thought that I would get treated like I do here.
“It’s a huge responsibility and we can only give everything back to the supporters that we can.
“The Premier League is our main challenge, but also Europe, after reaching the final against Real Madrid and falling down last season.
“That left us with a bad taste in our mouths, but we have to be patient and go game by game to achieve what we really want this time.”
Despite Liverpool’s huge investment, however, they remain only second favourites for the title.
Manchester City – especially after their opening-weekend demolition of Arsenal – remain top dogs.
But Liverpool, having dumped Pep Guardiola’s side out of the Champions League last year, are perhaps the one club in England who won’t be shaking in their boots.
“City are not invincible, they have lost games too,” insisted Firmino.
“I think the battle for the title is going to be very tough and will go until the very last day. That’s why we’re determined to start at the top.
“The favourites are the usual ones – City, United, Chelsea and us. I don’t think there will be any big surprises.
“But the Premier League is one of the toughest competitions in the world and so much of the battle is in the head. So, let’s see what happens.
“All I can promise our supporters is that we will give every last drop and finish the season absolutely empty in a bid to win the title.
“It’s the minimum they deserve.”