Liverpool transfer news: Genius Man City SLAYER is the Firmino successor | OneFootball

Liverpool have long searched for their Roberto Firmino successor. He's now playing in the Premier League - and they must return to sign him.

There's no player quite like Roberto Firmino. Really, there isn't.

Jurgen Klopp put it best when he labelled the Brazilian 'insane' and said people would 'write books' about the way he plays. Firmino was a unique phenomenon for Liverpool - and they've forever searched for a successor.

First Sadio Mane was tried there, then Cody Gakpo - we've seen Luis Diaz in recent weeks. How do you find someone who can deliver goals and assists and tackles and pressing and buildup play and the ability to win big games?

Basically, you don't. Firmino really was that good and there's a reason so many of his teammates feel he's the most talented player they've played with.

But it genuinely does look as though there's a star in the Premier League who could fill his boots. Liverpool know all about him, too - they tried to knab him in 2019.

Liverpool love Joao Pedro

Brighton's Joao Pedro has missed plenty of time this season. After 90 minutes against Arsenal to end August, he wouldn't feature again until September 22nd - and that was only 19 minutes.

From there came another absence. Pedro was out until the Manchester City game before the international break, playing 26 minutes.

Saturday saw his first start since August. And what a start it was.

Pedro was the best player on the pitch as Brighton beat Bournemouth. He scored the first, assisted the second, and just generally created chaos as a no.10.

It's similar to what he did against City. There, the Brazilian came off the bench to score and then assist as Brighton turned the game on its head to win 2-1.

And while this was only two games, Pedro's form has been extraordinary over the last year. He's around the 90th percentile and above in all the 'Firmino' stats for a striker.

In other words, he wins tackles and an incredible rate. He's creating chances at the same rate, while also moving his team around the pitch in a world-class way.

The fact he's also now deciding big games with goals and assists puts the cherry on top. Joao Pedro is a sensational forward and one who, at just 23, does all the 'dirtier' stuff that productive strikers typically avoid like the plague.

We also know that Liverpool like Joao Pedro and have had an eye on him for some time. They enquired back in 2019 when he was at Fluminense, ultimately going in a different direction.

Who knows how much Pedro would cost? Brighton will want a fortune, that's for sure, but if he can truly replace the irreplaceable, then Liverpool must consider going back in for him.

We've seen the joy Slot's team has had with Luis Diaz through the middle - Pedro would be an even better, more natural fit. He could even be the type of player who unlocks the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, allowing him to run beyond the forwards as he does with Hungary.

Basically, there are very few downsides here - except the cost, of course. But that's surely a price worth paying for Firmino 2.0.