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Roberto Firmino insists he will not be weighed down by the burden of being Liverpool’s £29m man.

And the Brazilian says he is already looking forward to running out at Anfield for the first time.

Firmino became the second most expensive signing in Reds history when joining from Hoffenheim earlier this summer.

And though he is likely to surpassed by Christian Benteke before too long, the 23-year-old insists his price tag places no extra pressure on his shoulders, and revealed that Liverpool had been chasing him for more than a year prior to signing him.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Firmino said: “Not at all. I see it rather as a recognition and confirmation.

“I chose Liverpool because they have taken over a year for me. Right away, I had a good feeling. Of course, I did some research on the internet.

“It has already impressed me, the gigantic significance of the club worldwide. It is, next to Manchester United, the best known and most popular English club.”

In pictures: Roberto Firmino

'Coutinho raved about the club'

Firmino confirmed that he had sought the advice of Philippe Coutinho before finalising his move to Merseyside, and says his Brazilian colleague has given his new club a glowing reference.

“Of course, we talked with the national team about Liverpool,” he said. “He has totally raved about the club.

“It will help me, sure. He’s my countryman and knows much already about the club, with which he can help me and make settling in easier. We understand each other well.”

Asked what he was looking forward to most about the move, Firmino added: “Being at the stadium at Anfield with the fans. I get goose bumps already just thinking about how they will sing ‘You’ll never walk alone’.

“I’m in the best league in the world, and I can develop myself there. Physically it is a completely new challenge, with the three (domestic) competitions and the Europa League there could be more than twice the number of games. With the national team there can be more than 60 games!”

'I would love to return to Hoffenheim....as an enemy!'

Firmino spent more than four years with Hoffenheim after joining in 2011, making more than 100 Bundesliga appearances.And he says the experience in Germany will stand him in good stead for his new challenge in England.

He said: “I came as a young guy from the second division (in Brazil) and had to assert myself. As one matures, you realise that you have to work hard for it. That’s what I will do in Liverpool.

“I will definitely return. My advisor Roger Wittmann lives in the region and I have many friends there. I would love to come but maybe as enemies again, to play with Liverpool in the Europa or Champions League against Hoffenheim.”

More Liverpool FC news today

Liverpool FC agree £32.5m Benteke fee: Hamann says Belgian is worth the money - and maybe more -

Christian Benteke to Liverpool FC: How the striker could fit in at Anfield

Roberto Firmino is not a Raheem Sterling replacement says Brendan Rodgers