Liverpool to Look Elsewhere as Brazilian Midfielder Firmino Signs New Contract

Hoffenheim midfielder Roberto Firmino has ended speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool after signing a new contract with the German club.

The Brazilian has been one of the stand out players in the Bundesliga this term and has garnered interest from a number of clubs across the continent during a season where he has scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists in just 26 games.

Recent reports have suggested Brendan Rodgers had identified the 22-year-old Firmino as another potential option to his versatile attack, believing he is of the similar mould to his compatriot Philippe Coutinho.

A fee of £12m has been touted for his services but the playmaker has all but ended the prospect of a summer exit from Hoffenheim by putting pen to paper on a contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2017.

Speaking to Hoffenheim's official website, Firmino said: "I feel much at home here. I like the path that the club is on. We play exciting football, the team spirit is great and I will continue working hard to help the team as much as I can in the future."

Firmino's performances this season have helped Hoffenheim maintain a respectable mid-table position and his manager Markus Gisdol was equally delighted with his renewal.

"It's very good news for the club," Gisdol said. "My compliments to Alexander Rosen (Hoffenheim's general manager) for working out this agreement. Firminho is an important player of our squad."

Liverpool's 2-1 win over Sunderland on Wednesday evening moved the club to within a point of league leaders Chelsea. With Champions League football next season now almost a certainty for the club, Rodgers already has his eye on strengthening his squad but admitted he will be looking at both the transfer market and the club's youth ranks in order to do that.

"Our first look has to be within. Liverpool will always be a club that has to be in the market for the world's best. All the world class players we need won't always be on our doorstep," Rodgers said earlier this week.

"But part of what we do here is looking for the development of our own players and coaching. If you show that you care enough and want to learn and improve you will get that opportunity."