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Lucas Leiva believes new Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino will follow in Philippe Coutinho’s footsteps and prove to be a big hit at Anfield - but says the gifted Brazilian must be given time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.

The Reds midfielder was buoyed by the £29million swoop for the Hoffenheim attacker who is now the second most expensive signing in the club’s history.

Lucas hopes his fellow countryman, who is still on holiday following the Copa America, will prove to be the “new Luis Suarez” but has urged for fans to be patient.

“When I heard we were signing him, I thought it was a good signing for us because I have been following him for a while,” Lucas said.

IN PICS: Liverpool new boy Roberto Firmino

“I haven’t met him yet, I only know him from watching the national team. He has got a good record for Brazil - four or five goals in nine games which is great.

“He has only started to play for Brazil in the last six months but he has potential and we have seen in the national team that he can perform.

“He has been playing in Germany, which is a very similar league to the one in England. I think it will be hard straight away and it will be just a case of him having to adapt to the club, the language and the way the manager wants us to play.

“We will see where he fits in. He showed in Germany what he is capable of and hopefully he will be able to adapt as soon as possible. Listen, I remember when Suarez arrived at Liverpool and people didn’t know much about him.

“Hopefully he will be the new Suarez because that would be great for the club but it is not fair to put that pressure on him now. I think he has got all the attributes to be a great player for the club, for sure.”

Lucas is looking forward to watching Firmino and Coutinho operate in tandem and says last season’s Player of the Year is a different type of attacker compared to the new boy.

“Firmino is a goalscorer,” he added.

“He plays for the national team like a No 9. He moves a lot, he is not just static.

“I don’t think he is the same as Philippe, who is more of a creator. Hopefully there will be a good link between the two.

“It’s the same as when Coutinho arrived – I just want to make sure he feels comfortable, show him around the city and the club. Hopefully he will be a big signing like Philippe has been.”

Firmino will link up with the squad after the tour and his debut for Liverpool is likely to arrive in the friendly against HJK Helsinki in Finland on August 1.