Ernst Tanner, who was sporting director of the German club when a Brazilian forward moved to Europe, never doubted the striker’s technical ability
Former Hoffenheim sporting director Ernst Tanner says he never had any doubts over Roberto Firmino’s ability, but admits the current Liverpool star arrived in Europe with stats “worse than my grandma”.
The Bundesliga outfit took a calculated gamble on the Brazilian when snapping him up from Figueirense in 2011.
Firmino was a 19-year-old rough diamond at that time, with plenty of polishing required once he landed in Germany.