Liverpool’s £29m signing, Roberto Firmino, is not a direct replacement for departed star Raheem Sterling, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.
The summer’s most drawn out transfer saga finally ended earlier this week when Manchester City agreed to pay a grand total of £49m for Sterling.
Ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season tour match against Brisbane Roar, Rodgers fronted the press and explained that the Firmino captured was not directly related to the protracted Sterling exit.
“It’s not so much a direct replacement for Raheem, it’s just about improving the squad,” the 42-year-old Reds boss he said.
“We’ve brought in a number of really good players and you add that to what we’ve already got and the balance in the team looks strong. There’s not a need, I didn’t feel, for a different replacement for Raheem.”
Rodgers lauded the club’s newest Brazilian talent and made it clear that his versatility and work rate were major reasons why the club broke the bank to purchase the 23-year-old from Hoffenheim.
“The flexibility of the player is important – he’s an outstanding talent,” he said.
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“He’s got wonderful touch and appreciation for the game, but the key when you watch him is the determination, how hard he works.”
“So he can play either one of the sides, he can play through the middle, or he can play in behind. He’s accustomed to European football so that should make the transition a little bit easier for him.”
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