How Liverpool's Attack Could Line Up with Roberto Firmino in It

Liverpool's interest in Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino was confirmed earlier this week by the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce, and now reports in Brazil claim the Reds are favourites to sign the 23-year-old.

According to Brazilian publication Globo Esporte (via the Express), Liverpool will beat Manchester United and City to sign the player from Hoffenheim for a reported fee of £18 million.

The potential signing of such an exciting player is exactly what Liverpool and their supporters need this summer; Firmino would be the marquee name supporters and manager Brendan Rodgers both want and need.

Back in April, Rodgers spoke of his desire to sign such players this summer, per The Telegraph:

"For fans and players it’s great to get those marquee players – and there are maybe one or two we need. The owners will support that. If they’re available and affordable within the model then we will look to get them."

"

The 2 reporters who wrote the Firmino to LFC article are covering Brazil's training camp in Chile so they very possibly have close contacts.

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) June 22, 2015"

Signing Firmino and a centre-forward such as Carlos Bacca would provide the two "marquee signings" and completely overhaul Liverpool's attack, adding dynamism and energy that was missing for much of last season.

So how could Liverpool's attack look should they pull off the signing of Firmino?

Replacing Sterling

Firmino is an extremely versatile player, able to play anywhere across the attacking positions. He started most games for Hoffenheim as a central attacking midfielder last season, but he is equally at home on either side and can even play as a forward, as he has been for Brazil lately.

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We can assume Raheem Sterling will leave Liverpool this summer, with Manchester City set to make a third bid for the 20-year-old, according to the Liverpool Echo. Therefore, Firmino would be a replacement for the outgoing attacker.

Sterling, like Firmino, has played up front but looks more at home as an attacking midfielder, either centrally or out wide. It would seem like a logical replacement and smart business if Liverpool acquire Firmino for less than half of what they sell Sterling for.

Options

If indeed Liverpool sign Firmino and another centre-forward, Rodgers will have plenty of options in attack. For the purposes of this article, lets say that centre-forward is Bacca.

We'll also assume the unwanted trio of Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli depart the club, leaving Daniel Sturride, Danny Ings, Bacca and Divock Origi as the four centre-forwards at Rodgers' disposal.

We then have Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Jordon Ibe and Lazar Markovic as the attacking midfield options, although there are doubts over Markovic's immediate future, according to the Mirror's David Maddock.

This is a vastly improved list of attacking options compared to last season, and each player actually suits the club's style of play.

4-3-3

Given that James Milner has reportedly been guaranteed a role in his favoured centre-midfield position at his new club, we can assume he will line up alongside Jordan Henderson and one other—Emre Can or Lucas Leiva most likely—in the midfield three.

Sturridge will miss the start of the new season due to the hip surgery he underwent in May, meaning either Bacca or Ings could play centrally, supported by a fluid and interchanging Brazilian duo of Coutinho and Firmino in support. It's quite a mouthwatering prospect.

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4-2-3-1

Within a more structured 4-2-3-1 shape, Firmino could play from the left or right, Coutinho central, with Ibe or Lallana coming in on the other wing. Bacca, Sturridge or Ings occupy the centre-forward role.

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4-4-2 diamond

The other option is to pair two centre-forwards together, especially once Sturridge is back fit. This could see Firmino at the attacking point of the diamond and Coutinho dropping into one of the three other midfield roles, as he did frequently at the end of the 2013/14 season.

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Fluid

In any of the above options, Liverpool's attack would be able to return to the fluid, mobile, dynamic and high-pressing game of 2013/14.

All that needs now is for Liverpool to make Bacca, Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne their three marquee signings of the summer, and they will be looking vastly improved ahead of the new campaign.