Liverpool coach confirms the Reds have the next Roberto Firmino

There's a new Roberto Firmino at Liverpool based on what the club's U21 head-coach has said.

Let's be honest, there will never be a no.9 like Bobby. He was one of a kind.

While the Brazilian was a talented goalscorer, what truly made him special at Anfield was his selflessness.

Rather than focusing purely on scoring himself, Firmino was often the glue that facilitated Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

His intelligent movement and ability to drop deep created space for the duo to exploit.

It was the humility that he played with, and the flair that he had. All the while playing with that iconic toothy smile. Firmino was the best of us.

There's no surprise that since his departure Liverpool still haven't really been able to replace him.

What truly set Firmino apart and the element of his game that Liverpool are missing the most right now is his pressing.

Few players in modern football were as relentless as he was.

Firmino’s pressing wasn’t just about chasing opponents, it was about timing. He just had an awareness for anticipating when to make his move, when to cut those passing lanes, and force mistakes at exactly the right moment.

Firmino was the brilliant cog in Klopp's gegenpress machine, he became the engine that sparked attacks and created turnovers high up the pitch enabling the Reds to play their heavy metal football.

His absence has left a void in Liverpool’s ability to suffocate opponents and regain possession in the final third. Arne Slot's side are struggling in the pressing side of their game a lot right now.

However, not all hope is lost. There may be an exciting wonderkid who has that same pressing intensity and who could become the next Firmino.

Liverpool's U21 coach Rob Page spoke to Redmen TV about Lewis Koumas, and highlighted the Welsh wonderkid's pressing ability in particular, explaining how he actually had to instruct him to sometimes ease his pressing because of the intensity that he played with.

"He’s a great lad. I had a pre-season with him, and he’s great to work with. He’s got a great attitude. You want to pull the reins on him to stop him pressing, which is great, isn’t it? You’re trying to get players to encourage them to press high and aggressively, but it’s quite the opposite with him" Page said.

"I’ve seen a couple of his goals. He’s always off the last man, playing off the shoulder. He likes that physicality. Sometimes it’s a tackle as he’s finishing, so he’s great one-on-one. It’s great to see him in that form. Great support staff at Hull.

"I know Dean Holden quite well, who’s the assistant there, so he’ll give him all the support he needs. Great for our football club to have young players going out and playing really well and helping us develop them.

"And great for Welsh football, obviously, because we’ve got the play-offs coming up and two big games in March and Craig (Bellamy) will no doubt want all his young players playing well at a decent level, and he falls into that category.”

Koumas has been in great form at Hull, and he's still young. We've seen glimpses of his talent in the first-team and perhaps when he returns pre-season this summer could offer him the opportunity to establish himself as a third option behind Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.

In the process, the Reds may have their pressing monster back, and ultimately the heir to Firmino's crown.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

👉🏻 A new centre-back is COMING to Liverpool

👉🏻 Liverpool finally replace Trent Alexander-Arnold with brilliant playmaker

👉🏻 Centre-back confirms he's ready to join Liverpool