Ryan Babel predicts that Roberto Firmino will be a fan favourite at Anfield due to the combination of his ability to excite and a strong work ethic.

The pair were teammates at Hoffenheim for 18 months after Babel left Liverpool for the German side in January 2011.

The Dutchman is therefore well placed to discuss the talents possessed by the Reds' summer signing - and he is confident supporters are going to like what they see.

Babel told Liverpoolfc.com: "He is a tricky player. He can dribble, shoot, he has a great shot, he can play a lot of through balls and his assists are very good.

"He is actually also great at heading, which maybe you wouldn't think because he's not that tall, but he's very good at it.

"He's the kind of player that likes the ball at his feet and to do nice things with it, but something he learned in Germany was how to work without the ball and defend. I know how important that is in England, what you do without the ball. It was something he had to learn in Germany.

"I'm very happy for him. He's very talented and now it is down to him. He is the kind of player that can give a lot of joy to Liverpool fans because he's a very skilful player."

Firmino was brought to Europe by Hoffenheim in the same month they recruited Babel from Anfield.

A photo posted by Ryan Babel (@ryanbabel) on Jun 24, 2015 at 5:48am PDT

The 28-year-old recalls being impressed by the Brazilian's ability in training and his off-the-field attitude.

"He was only a young lad when I joined Hoffenheim and they'd recently brought him in from Brazil," Babel recollected.

"He didn't play a lot in my first half-year there, he only trained with us as he had to learn the German culture and the intensity of training there.

"But he was very humble and you could tell he was very talented. In the following season, he was training well and the manager tried him out. He did well and began playing.

"I've been following Hoffenheim and I've seen how well he's developed and he's got called up for the Brazilian national team. I'm very proud of him."

The genial nature that allowed Firmino to integrate seamlessly into German football following his switch from Figueirense will stand him in good stead when it comes to settling into the Melwood dressing room, believes Babel.

"He is a positive player," he said. "He is very likeable, he is not arrogant, he has no attitude and is very relaxed. He's a good lad.

"In the beginning he will watch, learn and soak all of the information up. I think the Liverpool players will like him a lot and he'll make great friends there."

Babel too has been on the move during the summer transfer window.

The forward, who made 146 appearances for Liverpool and scored 22 goals during a three-and-a-half-year spell at Anfield, joined Al-Ain FC in the UAE Pro-League on Thursday.

Since the news broke of his switch from Turkish club Kasimpasa, Babel has received plenty of 'good luck' messages via social media from Reds fans.

"I think it's very clear to people that Liverpool has a place in my heart and always will have," he stated. "I am still following Liverpool and I am very humbled by the support I still get from the fans."