Strengths and Weaknesses of Liverpool's Summer Signing Roberto Firmino
Brazilian attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino began his career as a Liverpool player on Wednesday, arriving at the club's Melwood complex to take his first training session.
Preparing for the season ahead alongside the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini, Firmino's presence has sparked the imaginations of an expectant Merseyside fanbase. The 23-year-old was not included in Liverpool's pre-season tour following his involvement in this summer's Copa America.
A £29 million signing from 1899 Hoffenheim, Firmino stands as one of the marquee signings of a busy summer for Liverpool, and the Premier League in general.
But what can Reds expect from Firmino?
Here are four strengths and four weaknesses for the Maceio-born star.
Strength: Dribbling
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Showcasing typical Brazilian flair during his time with Hoffenheim, Firmino is a top-level dribbler.
Last season, Liverpool's new No. 11 averaged 4.3 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga, with only four Premier League players making more.
To make a useful comparison, Chelsea's Eden Hazard averaged 4.8 per 90 Premier League minutes in 2014/15.
A graceful presence in possession, Firmino's pace and understanding of space allow him to burst through defences with force. That he managed to do so against the typically resolute defences of the Bundesliga suggests that this dribbling success will translate well to the Premier League.
Weakness: Ball Control
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Once he gets going, Firmino is near-unstoppable. But one of the Brazilian's key weaknesses is his early ball control.
Last season, he averaged 2.4 unsuccessful touches per 90 Bundesliga minutes.
In the context of the rest of Rodgers' Liverpool squad, this would place Firmino as having one of the worst touches at Anfield. Only Rickie Lambert (2.6) and Borini (2.5) averaged more unsuccessful touches per 90, while Lazar Markovic also averaged 2.4.
Of course, the way Firmino attempts to propel attacks early highlights why he can be perceived as having a poor touch—he is a player who takes risks in the forward sector, and this should be encouraged.
Strength: Creativity
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While he is not of the same breed as Liverpool's No. 10 and chief playmaker Coutinho, Firmino is a strong creative talent nonetheless.
The 23-year-old averaged 2.1 key passes per 90 minutes in 2014/15, laying on 10 assists for his Hoffenheim team-mates.
Only one player made more key passes per 90 on average in last season's Liverpool squad: Raheem Sterling (2.2).
Coutinho did only average 1.9 key passes per 90, but the former Inter Milan man can be attributed with mitigating circumstances, given he spent the majority of the first half of the season out of position, struggling to influence games.
Now Liverpool have both masterful Brazilians in their ranks, Rodgers will be hoping his attack will be restored to the potent brilliance that supporters cherished in 2013/14.
Weakness: Passing Accuracy
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As with reference to his poor ball control, Firmino's risk-taking in the final third means that, while his creative talents are abundant, he is not the most accurate passer of the ball.
Last season, he completed just 72.7 percent of his passes for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
Rodgers will be hoping he can fine-tune this, with a crisp passing game expected on Merseyside—even in the forward areas. Coutinho, for example, completed 80.3 percent of his passes in 2014/15.
Only three outfield players— Balotelli (69.7 percent), Lambert (68.1 percent) and Jose Enrique (65.7 percent)—completed less of their passes last season, and all three are likely to leave Liverpool this summer after jarring with Rodgers' style of play.
Strength: Goalscoring
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"Firmino is a goalscorer," Reds midfielder Lucas Leiva told the club's official website in July (h/t This is Anfield). "He plays for the national team like a No. 9. He moves a lot, he is not just static."
Brazil manager Dunga has largely utilised Firmino as a striker, and the 23-year-old's finishing ability is one of the primary factors behind his success in this role.
In his 33 Bundesliga games last season, Firmino scored seven goals, averaging 14 shots per goal.
"I don't think he is the same as Philippe, who is more of a creator," Lucas continued. Coutinho scored five goals in 35 Premier League games last season, averaging 21 shots per goal.
For an attacking midfielder, Firmino is an impressive goalscorer.
Weakness: Maintaining Possession
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Linking with his poor ball control and passing accuracy, Firmino's ability to maintain possession will need to be improved during his time at Liverpool.
The midfielder was dispossessed 2.3 times on average per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga last term.
Only four Liverpool players lost the ball to their marker more times on average per 90 minutes in 2014/15—Enrique (3.1), Borini (2.5), Jordon Ibe (2.5) and Daniel Sturridge (3.4).
To make a comparison with Chelsea's Hazard once more, however, the Belgian was dispossessed 2.5 times on average per 90 minutes.
Players that takes risks in attacking areas are, naturally, more likely to lose the ball.
Strength: Defensive Contribution
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Detailing Firmino's talents after his switch to Liverpool, the Guardian's Marcus Christenson described the Brazilian as "similar to Luis Suarez and Alexis Sanchez."
He continued: "He will harry and press the opponents until he drops. In one match report in Germany he was described as the 'clever, first stealer of balls in Hoffenheim’s pressing system.'"
One of the key attributes that will have endeared Firmino to Rodgers is his work rate and defensive contribution—qualities that have been lacking in Liverpool's forward line since Suarez's move to Barcelona in 2014.
Weakness: Discipline
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However, while Firmino's defensive work should be lauded, the Brazilian's discipline will need to be improved at Liverpool.
Firmino committed 2.3 fouls on average per 90 minutes last season, with only Balotelli (2.8) averaging more per 90 within Rodgers' 2014/15 Liverpool squad.
Worryingly, the tough-tackling and foul-happy Lucas committed just 1.8 fouls on average per 90 minutes last season—this is a benchmark that players should be avoiding.
Firmino will see a lot of yellow cards if he is to continue with this haphazard tackling style in the Premier League.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
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