Transfer Rumours Liverpool's show of intent

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Liverpool: Firmino deal shows club are learning from mistakes

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By Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers faces the biggest summer of his career - backed by owners Fenway Sports Group, but in the knowledge a slow start to the new season could cost him his job.
And the stakes for Liverpool as a club are not much lower. This time last year they were reflecting on a brilliant season that almost won them their first title in 24 years, but at least brought a return to the Champions League.
It was then, exactly a year ago, talisman Luis Suarez bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini while playing for Uruguay at the World Cup, setting off a series of events that led to a £75m move to Barcelona and the subsequent squandering of much of that money on inadequate purchases.
Liverpool are now attempting to recover from a season of disappointment that ended with a 6-1 defeat at Stoke, the first time they had conceded so many goals in the league in 52 years.
Since Rodgers was backed by the board, Liverpool have been active in the transfer market, the latest signing being the £29m purchase of Brazil forward Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim.
So will things be any different this time around?
Liverpool's show of intent

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Roberto Firmino has scored 47 goals in 151 games for Hoffenheim
Liverpool's determination to put down a marker can be seen with the purchase of 23-year-old Firmino, who will become the second most expensive signing in their history in the wake of the frivolous spending of £35m on ill-fated striker Andy Carroll in 2011.
And the fact that Liverpool have done the big deal early - and without complications - will act as a morale-booster to everyone at the club, including fans who were left in despair at the end of last season.
Their determination to do the deal for a player who had been linked with Manchester United and others across Europe can be seen by chief executive Ian Ayre being dispatched to Chile to swiftly finalise negotiations to ensure it got over the line.

The view from South America: Analysis from Tom Vickery
When Roberto Firmino was first called up by Brazil, very few of his compatriots knew anything about him. I did a Brazilian TV show as recently as March when the presenter said that Firmino could pass unnoticed down almost any high street in the country.
The 23 year old is part of a growing community of Brazil internationals who develop their careers abroad and get into the squad despite being little known by their own public.
He comes from Maceio in the poor North East of Brazil, and after starring in a youth tournament was picked by Figueirense at the other end of the country.
The south of Brazil is often scoured by German scouts - the region has many German immigrants - and, still a teenager, Firmino did well enough in the second division to earn a transfer to Hoffenheim.
He has subsequently developed well enough to get him on Brazil coach Dunga's radar screen. And 4 goals in his first 9 internationals (coming off the bench in 5 of them) is a promising start to his Brazil career.
Liverpool have suffered in the past when big targets such as Diego Costa, Willian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have been spirited away to other clubs despite strong interest from Anfield - this time there were no mistakes.

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Liverpool clearly suffered after the departure of Luis Suarez and continuous injuries to fellow forward Daniel Sturridge
Firmino may or may not work out - but at least there has been no lack of haste or decision. The transfer has been conducted in the manner of a club that means business.
The forward, who featured in 33 of Hoffenheim's 34 league fixtures in each of the last three seasons, has recorded 21 assists over the last two seasons, more than any other Brazilian in the top five European leagues.
He is already Liverpool's fifth signing of a busy close season so far, a period in which manager Rodgers must not only replace departed captain and icon Steven Gerrard, but also rediscover the goals that went missing last season with Suarez departed and Daniel Sturridge almost permanently injured.
This is the first instance of big spending this summer at Anfield, but Liverpool have shown determination in persuading James Milner to leave Manchester City to add experience, reliability, consistency, versatility and good character to their squad.
Charlton's highly-promising defender Joe Gomez is another arrival in a £3.5m deal but he is firmly one for the future and may well be loaned out after his signing to gain experience.

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Belgium international Divock Origi has made 13 appearances for his country
England Under-21 striker Danny Ings will cost around £6m at a tribunal but that deal for the Burnley player is one that will also please Rodgers as he saw off interest from Real Sociedad and Spurs, while Adam Bogdan's arrival from Bolton will provide back-up for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
Ings will bring energy and hopefully goals, a young, driven forward determined to succeed at the highest level.
Lille's young Belgium international Divock Origi, 20, is expected to arrive at Anfield this summer after going back to the French club last season on loan, so Rodgers appears to be addressing a problem that caused his team to suffer - their lack of goals last season.
Firmino will add further creativity and the fact that he was successful in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim will add to the optimism he will flourish in the Premier League.
So far so good - but the only true verdict will be delivered on the pitch and a lot more remains to be done before Liverpool can think of challenging the top four again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33252587

 

Committed the first cardinal sin on Not606 Liverpool board - quoting Big Phil mcnulty. Quick, someone move this to the BBC Salford thread before Astro has a heart attack.

Btw is spending £29m on an unknown as big a "statement of intent" as spending £35m on the mighty Andy Carroll? Just asking like

 

Luke Shaw went to utd as a fat relatively unknown for £27m and has never performed to his so called status for England, our new £21m(with add ons) unknown is currently starring for Brazil in Copa America and is responsible for them not getting knocked out.

 

Dear oh dear. The manc walked into that one big style.

Fat luke.