Fabinho reveals what Roberto Firmino said to persuade him to join Liverpool

The midfielder talked extensively with his Brazil teammate about Anfield and life on Merseyside before making his £45m move

Carl Markham
Tuesday 29 May 2018 13:42 BST
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Liverpool's new signing Fabinho has revealed he spoke at length with Roberto Firmino before making the decision to join the club.

The midfielder, who joins in a deal worth up to £43.7million, talked extensively with his Brazil teammate about Anfield and life on Merseyside before his move.

Fabinho admits Firmino's raised performance levels have not gone unnoticed and he wants to follow the same path.

"I've been following Liverpool for a few years, in particular since Firmino arrived," he told LFCTV. "After he arrived here he was able to achieve higher development at this football club. Because he had success, I hope the same happens to me.

"We spoke a bit more about the infrastructure of the club, the city and we also spoke about the coaches and how they do their work so I was able to know a bit more about Liverpool through Firmino.

"I had been with him at the Brazilian national team on a few occasions. I know he's a fantastic person, his background is from nice people.

"He is also very good for someone who comes to a new country, a new city - someone who speaks the same language. This will of course make the adaptation much easier."

Fabinho joins from Monaco
Fabinho joins from Monaco (Liverpool FC)

Fabinho could well be joined by another Brazil teammate if, as expected manager Jurgen Klopp looks to upgrade his goalkeeper this summer.

The position has been the subject of debate since before Klopp arrived in October 2015, but Loris Karius' mistakes in the Champions League final have intensified the scrutiny.

Klopp has an interest in Roma's Alisson, although he could face paying a premium for a player valued at £60million, with the Italian club having been burned by last summer's forced £38million sale of Mohamed Salah to the Reds in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

The Brazilian goalkeeper is on Klopp's radar this summer
The Brazilian goalkeeper is on Klopp's radar this summer (Getty Images)

Liverpool moved quickly to get the Fabinho deal done virtually under the radar but they have no such hope if they pursue Alisson after Roma's sporting director Monchi was moved to speak about the goalkeeper's situation.

"In order for a player to leave, there have to be three elements in place - an offer, a yes from the club and from the player," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"As of today, we have nothing of the sort. We are happy to keep him, transfer rumours are normal at this stage."

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