Firmino: We'll give everything to be successful this season
Roberto Firmino has vowed that Liverpool will do everything in their power to make 2016-17 a successful season - but the Brazilian insists it is too early to discuss the destination of the title.
The Reds have enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign, sitting top of the Premier League and with an EFL Cup quarter-final against Leeds United to come later this month after losing just one of their opening 14 games in all competitions.
Firmino has been a major factor behind Liverpool’s impressive form this term, the No.11 having contributed six goals and four assists in his 12 appearances while forming a devastating attacking triumvirate with Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane.
Along with Coutinho, the 25-year-old is currently away on international duty with Brazil and he has spoken positively about life on Merseyside in an interview in his homeland.
“The signings to strengthen our squad [in the summer] were thoughtful and improved our football,” Firmino told O Globo.
“It is too early to talk about the title, but the fans can rest assured that we will give our best to achieve good things at the end of the season.”
Firmino arrived at Anfield from Hoffenheim in June 2015 and believes the appointment of ‘football scholar’ Jürgen Klopp as manager a little over three months later helped him adjust to the demands of the Premier League.
“English football is a little faster and the technical level is higher than in Germany, but a big factor is that there are games more often,” he added.
“Of course, in a change of team and country, there is always a process of adaptation. Fortunately, the opportunity to work with Jürgen Klopp was a great help in my adaptation to Liverpool.
“He is a coach who knows very well the squad, the league, and [he] studies opponents before each game. He is a friend of everyone around him, works with great respect and has the affection of all wherever he goes.
“On the other hand, he is very demanding, both with himself and with all who are part of our daily work, on and off the pitch.
“He is a football scholar [who] examines each match in every detail.”