Ex-Liverpool star Babbelhas admitted the Firmino fee is “brutal”

Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel has admitted to Bild that he thinks the fee of €41 million (£29m) the Reds paid for Roberto Firmino is “brutal”.
Firmino, 23, is all set to complete his £29m move to Anfield once he completes his medical with the club after the Copa America, and he’ll become Liverpool’s second-most expensive player of all-time, behind Andy Carroll. The Brazilian’s signature is a real sign of intent from Liverpool that they mean business this summer and heading into next season.

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Firmino: I’m at Liverpool to win titles

Firmino won 69/187 tackles in the league last season.

After selling Luis Suarez last summer, the Reds’ hierarchy thought they could buy a squad with the money recouped and it would make up the difference of his departure but it could not mend his absence. Liverpool struggled to a sixth-placed finish with a 6-1 defeat on the final day of the season to Stoke.
But signing Firmino, plus the signatures of James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne also ready to come in soon, shows Liverpool want top four and will push hard for it. Nevertheless, Babbel still balked at the fee the Brazilian star has cost the Reds.
“That’s brutal and when I heard that I flinched, because even for Liverpool that’s not chicken feed,” said Babbel, who spent three years at Liverpool, winning the UEFA Cup, FA Cup, Super Cup and League Cup.
“He’s under a certain amount of pressure with this [transfer fee] weight on his shoulders.”

Firmino’s league goals last season

Firmino was sublime last season for Hoffenheim as he scored seven league goals – one fewer than their leading scorer – and created 69 chances. Ten of those chances were assists and both figures topped the charts for the German club.

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