Former Liverpool forward Ryan Babel expects the Reds' new signing Roberto Firmino to provide a surprise aerial threat in the Premier League.

Firmino has been snapped up from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for a fee which could reach €41m and is a player Babel knows well, due to a spell spent alongside him at the German club.




While Firmino is well known for his dribbling ability, talent to see and place a pass, along with an eye for goal, Babel insists he is also an accomplished header of the ball.

And the Dutchman knows that may come as something of a surprise give his silky skills on the floor.
 

 

"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", the forward told Liverpool's official site.

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"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."

Babel also insists that Firmino will be able to chip in at Anfield when it comes to defending, as disciplined defensive play is something the Brazilian was taught in Germany.

"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."

Babel made his own move this summer, swapping Turkish outfit Kasimpasa for United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain.