Brazilian · Campinas, Brazil · Born 2 October 1991The pressing pioneer who made Salah and Mané world-class — Liverpool's selfless false nine and the creative soul of Klopp's dominant side.
Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira was born in Maceió, Brazil in 1991. Hoffenheim developed him in the Bundesliga before Liverpool paid £29 million in 2015. His eight Liverpool seasons produced the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané. His individual statistics — 152 goals in 362 appearances — understate his contribution. He was deployed as a false nine — a centre-forward who drops deep, links play and enables those around him to operate in the spaces his movement creates. His pressing from the front — his willingness to chase lost causes, to pressure defenders with relentless intensity, to work for the team rather than for statistics — was the template on which Jürgen Klopp built Liverpool's high-press system. No No.9 in the Premier League generated more opportunities for teammates by drawing defensive attention. He became the player other forwards studied when learning how to play without the ball. He won the Club World Cup in 2019. He represented Brazil despite being overlooked by successive national coaches for extended periods.
Key part of Liverpool's front three with Salah and Mané
How They Played
False 9 with exceptional pressing, link-up play, and tactical intelligence
Lasting Impact
Redefined the false 9 role in modern football with tireless work rate and creative play
Career Honours
- UEFA Champions League 2019 (Liverpool)
- Premier League 2020 (Liverpool)
- FA Cup 2022 (Liverpool)
- League Cup 2022 (Liverpool)
- FIFA Club World Cup 2019 (Liverpool)
- UEFA Super Cup 2019 (Liverpool)
- Champions League 2019
- Premier League 2020
- Copa América 2019
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figueirense | 2009–2011 | — | 38 | 8 |
| TSG Hoffenheim | 2011–2015 | £29m | 140 | 38 |
| Liverpool | 2015–2023 | £29m | 256 | 82 |
| Al-Ahli | 2023–2025 | — | 49 | 14 |
| Al Sadd | 2025–Present | — | 21 | 13 |
 Brazil | — | — | 55 | 18 |
Brazilian Athletes