Hoffenheim had serious concerns about Roberto Firmino's fitness levels when he first arrived the the club, it has been revealed.
Long before Firmino was leading Liverpool's attack as one of the most exciting forwards in world football, he was proving himself in Brazil's second tier.
And in a fascinating interview with Bleacher Report, a former Hoffenheim sporting director has explained how Firmino was scouted, signed and moulded into the player he is today.
Firmino joined Hoffenheim for £3.35m in December 2010 after scoring 12 goals in 56 games for Figueirense.
The then-19-year-old had been rejected by Brazil's big clubs but Ernst Tanner was convinced of his talent and despite negative scouting reports, personally attending training to watch the forward in action.
And it was Firmino's attitude, hard work and application in training that convinced Hoffenheim to take a chance on him.
He said: "I went over to Brazil twice that year, but it wasn't easy to get the right impression on Firmino during a game because he didn't actually play regularly.
"With the World Cup being held that season, they had a break in the summer, and you know how tight the national calendar is over there, which roughly means that they play Saturday, then Wednesday and then Saturday again.
"In between, they need to travel, so it was very hard even to follow him in training, but we managed to get into the stadium facilities as tourists to watch him working.
"There was one specific session where I said, 'OK, this was the right type of player.' He's bringing along the right mentality, he's eager to learn, he works hard - what we saw in training was far better than in game. That was the reason why we took that decision. We had also sent a scout over, but his report was negative on him."
Despite Firmino convincing Hoffenheim of his talent, the German club did have major concerns about his fitness during his early days with the club.
In fact, Tanner says that the Brazilian posted some of the "worst numbers" seen in endurance tests, labelling the results "worse than my grandma".
He said: "You should have seen the data that we got on him when he was coming for the first time [to Hoffenheim]. In Germany, we usually do these endurance tests, blood ones, which are pretty accurate, you know, and he had the worst numbers I have ever seen in professional football," Tanner recalls.
"I would say to emphasise that he was even worse than my grandma. You can't imagine. They were so low that you couldn't even believe that he was ever able to play professional football."
Firmino has gone on to score 76 goals in 230 appearances for Liverpool after joining the Reds for £29m in 2015.
Rapbdpstuy
0
There something that kop want you to know the best in the world is bobby Firmino
didadinors
2
So there you are: Never a underestimate player. You never know the will and spirit he possesses to succeed.
Kaushtubh_Chauhan
3
so firmino has something of ronlado in him ..sure talent is there for both of them but what they excels in is hard work grit and determination
LastLiv
4
Never underestimate the talent of Brazilians
laehcim
1
When I see a talent & u grab him or her then he patient to fits into ur tactics or else ull lose him
GBZ_15
4
then let your grandma play 1 0n 1 against firmino..how 'bout it
Dehabclpru
6
Klopp worked wonders with most players including tireless Firmino. Both now, World beaters!!
piffhead1
6
and now his fitness levels are unparalleled. .what a transformation. .. YNWA
OlleB
3
love you bobby☺☺
Goldmouf
3
Firmino might do a NO LOOK THING ON THIS DIRECTOR
foekmorsyz
1
[image]
it done basi on messi, it basic on you call yourself Ronald or Madrid gossiper thank u jack ass
Ciwbdekotu
10
We Love U Firmino.......From a Red Devil Fan....
Those stupid Barca fans wouldn't appreciate u and keep talking abt Messi in an article that has notx to do with Messi...
Ciwbdekotu
1
[image]
Does this post concern Messi???.... Jackass..
foekmorsyz
1
foekmorsyz
2
thanks to Lionel in eiba routles[100percent]
Zembdlop
2
The rest we say is a story
ST-B
0
it is all about putting the right man in the right position, in the right club .
GueguenpressingYNWA
6
We don't care about he's fitness story in the past. Now he's our (Liverpool) player. he scores important goals, he creates play, can assist. gives no look passes. You surely underestimated him. Brendan Rodgers brought him in and now his blossoming under Klopp.
Huerstu
6
Don't judge a book by its cover
evansasamaoh
4
indeed the effort of an individual will really prove you high to others, on this note i would edge each and everyone to learn how to build confidence and trust among his/herself. Truely its God who really help, but heaven help those who help themselve.
Saaaeiklpy
3
and now he is worth more than 80m
koaablpy
2
How Tanner must be kicking himself 😁
AsadUllahkhanGhalib
3
firmino always do thing that no one can look pass
Seadog66
3
Money well spent, in Firmino we trust