Liverpool: Has Klopp found his ‘perfect’ Roberto Firmino replacement?
By Bence Bocsak
Liverpool could repeat the same formula.
During the first part of the 2010s, a Brazilian lit up the Bundesliga. Playing in a small German outfit, Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino was one of the Bundesliga’s brightest sparks prior to his arrival to Anfield. Deployed in various positions but primarily as a number ten, Firmino dazzled with his flamboyant skills and breath taking goals.
He was a football hipsters favourite.
At Anfield, Roberto Firmino became a hero. The perfect cog in Jurgen Klopp’s well oiled machine. The mentality monster and the constant presser who has given the freedom for the Reds marvellous duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to thrive.
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But as the Brazilian is nearing 30 years of age, and perhaps with his form having dipped slightly, the Reds must consider replacing the Brazilian in the future.
And Jurgen Klopp may look to go for the perfect carbon-copy replacement in Matheus Cunha.
Just like Roberto Firmino, Matheus Cunha had an unorthodox path to Europe. Like Firmino, Cunha never made a name for himself in Brazil but rather moved to Europe before making an appearance in the first division.
Cunha moved to Switzerland as an 18 year old and thrived at Sion.
It earned him a move to Bundesliga where Matheus Cunha is starting to make a name for himself at Hertha Berlin, a team of similar magnitude to Roberto Firmino’s Hoffenheim.
Just like Firmino in his Germany days, Cunha is starting to catch the eye with his flair and goal scoring prowess.
This season Cunha has 7 goals and 4 assists in 9 games for Hertha Berlin in all competitions.
He has dazzled with his ability to play in a number of positions across the front three, both as a number nine or as a number ten and out-wide.
First Time Finish have recently interviewed Matheus Cunha’s former coach, Maurizio Jaccobacci, where the former Sion boss waxes lyrical about the Brazilian.
With strong praise from his previous boss proof that Cunha is not only an excellent player but a great individual the Brazilian certainly fits the criteria Jurgen Klopp looks for in his potential signings.
The prospect of Cunha linking up with the likes of Jota, Salah and Mane upfront is mouth watering.
Could lightning strike twice in Merseyside?
Next. Klopp has his Wijnaldum replacement. dark
What do you think of Liverpool signing Matheus Cunha