"He's a star" Roberto Firmino impressed with Golden Boy nominated Liverpool youngster

In an interview with Eleven Sports, Roberto Firmino was asked about new Liverpool signing, Fabio Carvalho, and he had nothing but good things to say.

He said, “He’s a star, he’s a great player and now he’s also a very close friend. We are happy to have him here at Liverpool and I know he will help us a lot, with assists, goals and also his character on the pitch.

“He’s a great player. I confess that I had watched some of his games before he came to Liverpool, so I was already impressed by the way he played.”

Carvalho has had a bright start to his Liverpool career, scoring twice in just 149 minutes of Premier League football. His first goal was an amazing volley in Liverpool’s historic 9-0 victory against Bournemouth.

However, he made even more headlines in the next game. Liverpool were held by Newcastle and were struggling to get a winning goal. Up came Carvalho with a 97th-minute winner to secure a much-needed three points.

Firmino was impressed by Carvalho even before he arrived on Merseyside. The 20-year-old had a breakout season in the Championship with title winners, Fulham.

He was influential in the side’s return to the Premier League, scoring 11 and setting up eight in 38 appearances across all competitions. His amazing performance earned him a nomination for this year's Golden Boy award alongside Harvey Elliott.

Is Fabio Carvalho The New Firmino?

Carvalho played most of his games as an attacking midfielder, much like Firmino did before signing for Liverpool. He was converted into a ‘false 9’ and we can’t help but think that Jurgen Klopp has the same plans for Carvalho. With Firmino reaching his 30s, he might be helping mould Carvalho into a ‘false 9’ of his calibre.

It would certainly be an interesting option that could be used in the future, but Darwin Núñez arriving as a traditional number 9 could hinder those plans.

Liverpool don’t typically play a formation with an attacking midfielder, so Klopp could be working out a new position for him. Just like he converted Elliott from a right winger to a central midfielder, Klopp could find space for Carvalho in that position or as a winger.