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Liverpool hero not predicting Arsenal start for major signing

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Liverpool idol John Barnes believes that Brendan Rodgers won’t look to push Roberto Firmino into his starting XI for the Reds’ Monday night trip to Arsenal.

The Reds swooped over the summer to snap up the Brazil international from Hoffenheim in a deal that could be eventually cost the club £29m.

And with Firmino having notched an impressive 23 goals and 21 assists over the course of the past two seasons in the Bundesliga, fans have been clamouring to get a glimpse of the South American.

However, with the 23-year-old having returned late from Copa America action over the summer, Rodgers has opted to start him on the bench for both the win at Stoke and the Bournemouth victory.

In his brief showings in both games Firmino has demonstrated his ability, but Liverpool hero, and TitanBet Brand Ambassador, Barnes believes that Kopites will have to wait a little longer before seeing their new attacker in the starting XI:

“I don’t think he [Firmino] is 100% fit, and Brendan Rodgers will know when the right time is, so you don’t want to put him in too soon.” The ex-England international said.

“It’s hard to judge as he only has two cameo appearances, but from the noises coming out of Anfield they like him a lot and say that he has got good ability.

“I don’t think he [Rodgers] is under pressure to throw him in [against Arsenal] necessarily because Liverpool have won the two games.

“I don’t think they will throw him in for the next game, but after maybe five or six games he’ll be a regular starter.”

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