There we have it, Liverpool’s first paid for addition – okay, Danny Ings will command an as of yet unknown compensation fee – has been confirmed, with Hoffenheim’s Roberto Firmino now, barring a rare failed medical, a Red.

Liverpool fans are, naturally, very excited by the Brazilian, who is the fifth addition the Merseysiders have tied up… even though the transfer window doesn’t officially open until July! Beyond the numbers and hype, there could be more to the Firmino deal, which looks set to have a major impact at the club. We at FFC Towers have taken a look at the situation, and here are FIVE things we expect following this one…

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Sterling is off…

Although the line seems to be that the addition of Firmino is in no way related to Raheem Sterling’s looming Manchester City move we’re not sure. Reading between the lines, the signs all point towards the Brazilian being a ready-made replacement – for a start there’s the obvious positional similarities, with both players able to play in any of the four positions in the final third.

Although this alone doesn’t point to be the ‘filler’ player, after all Rodgers is sure to want options, there’s also the Memphis Depay example. Prior to his switch to Manchester United, the Reds were thought to be leading the race for the Dutchman, however, following news that Daniel Sturridge would miss the start of the season their attention switched towards obtaining a striker. So why sign Firmino now? Although he can play ‘up top’ he’s more comfortable in the line of three behind the main centre-forward.

Ta-ra, Raheem…

Liverpool may not need a striker

With Firmino able to play as a striker if deemed necessary, do Liverpool need another centre-forward? There’s certainly an argument to suggest no is the answer, with Rodgers possessing options. Both the newbie and Philippe Coutinho can be used as a ‘false nine’ while the addition of Danny Ings – who snubbed rival interest – suggests that he’ll be given game time. Sturridge will return from injury at some point, although how long he’ll remain available is anyone’s guess, plus Mario Balotelli looks like he’ll be hanging around, despite his difficult debut season. Add to that Jerome Sinclair, who made a few cameo showings at the back end of 2014/15, and unless there are sales, it may be unnecessary/difficult to lure in another option.

Have Liverpool finally overcome their transfer woes?

Although talk of Firmino coming in has been floating around for a few weeks, the speed in which the deal went from ‘maybe’ to ‘done’ was refreshing for Reds. Players such as Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Willian, Yevhen Konoplyanka and Alexis Sanchez have been targets throughÂthe past few windows, but prospective transfers have dragged opening the door for other sides. However, Firmino ‘talks’ were made official last night and by the time we were on our morning commutes or walking the dog in a bleary-eyed state, the Merseysiders were making the deal official, pending a medical, that is.

Coutinho is now the main man

A move to snap up one of his international compatriots and friends and a signal of intent: are Liverpool doing their all to keep Coutinho happy? Perhaps, with the ‘Little Magician’ very much the key man at Anfield with Sturridge injured, Steven Gerrard gone and Sterling edging away from Merseyside. The Reds have made a habit of offloading star men on an almost yearly basis, so there’s now a real need to keep hold of the standout talent in Rodgers’ ranks. The addition of a seasoned campaigner like James Milner may also be a source of encouragement for the playmaker, as is the likely shift back to a more fluid attacking line-up.

Other targets can be chased…

With the Firmino deal now boxed, the Liverpool transfer gurus can now focus their attention on other targets. Reports from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio’s website insist that the Mateo Kovacic swoop has legs, while there are rumours that Copa America duo Salomon Rondon and Carlos Bacca are wanted, which may extend Ian Ayre’s holiday, we mean official business, over in Chile. Nathaniel Clyne is also a move that appears to be dragging, so there’s nothing to suggest that anyone in the corridors of Anfield will be taking a summer holiday…