By Adebayo Williams
Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino was first discovered on video game, Football Manager, Hoffeinheim scout, Lutz Pfannenstiel says. The 25-year-old Brazilian, who has bagged five goals for the Reds this season, signed for German side Hoffenheim in January, 2011 before moving to Merseyside in June 2015.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Pfannenstiel spoke with presenter Paul Hawksebee how playing the game saw them eventually conclude a £3.5 million transfer from Brazilian side Figueirense.
Pfannenstiel admitted that he feared that the deal may have been too much but is pleased with the final outcome of Firmino’s time at Hoffenheim.
”If you’re getting a guy from the second league in Brazil, only 17 – 18-years-old.
”Straight away people think he needs to play in the first team directly.
”So people were saying you’ve paid that amount for a player who hasn’t made it yet.
”In the end we sold him for €42m plus [future] payments, so in the end I think we did it right.
”I think it’s good scouting, definitely,” he said.
Firmino has been involved in eight goals in 10 Premier League appearances this season, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
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