Liverpool striker Firmino rejects ‘tough league’ talk

The Premier League may have a reputation for being one of the toughest in Europe, but Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino believes he is proving his doubters wrong.

The Brazilian joined the Reds for £29m from German side Hoffenheim last summer and initially struggled to adapt to the fast-paced nature of the division.

But this season Firmino has thrived in an advanced attacking role alongside Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and, of late, Divock Origi – scoring six goals in 17 games in all competitions.

And the 25-year-old insists his mental strength ensured he would be successful at Anfield, saying he never had any doubt because of his small physical size.

Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

“Sometimes people see you as skinny and then they think ‘Oh, he is not a strong player’,” he said.

“But what matters is what you feel and what you do inside the pitch. No matter how skinny you are, the important thing is how you think psychologically.

“If you think you are strong, you are really strong and I class myself as a strong player. I’m not intimidated by powerful defenders.

“Maybe when you are younger, playing against huge centre-backs might cause some fear to you but when you are an older player, there is no more fear.

“You simply play as best you can and go about your work. That’s what you do.

“There is no fear at all.”