Jurgen Klopp has insisted Roberto Firmino needs time to settle into life at Liverpool after praising the winger for being one of the best players in the Bundesliga last season.
Klopp's predecessor, Brendan Rodgers, oversaw the £29million signing of Firmino from Hoffenheim this summer after the Brazil striker impressed in Germany with a goal tally of 47 strikes in 151 games for the Bundesliga club.
Firmino, though, has failed to impress since moving to Anfield and has only made four starts in nine appearances in all competitions for Liverpool this term.
But new Reds manager Klopp insists the 24-year-old needs time to adapt to his new surroundings and admitted he was delighted when he heard that Liverpool had initially signed the winger.
"He's a skilled player. I'd say a year ago for a few months for sure he was the best player in the Bundesliga," Klopp said.
"From the first day everyone could see he can become a very, very good player... when I heard Liverpool took him, I thought 'good choice'.
"He needed time when he came in but he's strong with the ball, physically strong, fast in a good football way, gets his body between opponent and ball.
"So he is an important player for us and I hope he can play tomorrow."
Liverpool host fellow Premier League side Bournemouth in their Capital One Cup fourth-round tie at Anfield on Wednesday evening, with Klopp set to be without strikers Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke through injury.
With Divock Origi having started the club's last three games in the space of a week, Klopp could opt to rest the Belgian forward and hand Firmino a start up front in attack.
And the Liverpool manager is confident the Brazilian will be able to play as a lone striker despite his favoured position being that of a second striker.
"What kind of player is he? He is in the Brazil national team, and the last game I think he played as a nine, so he can play there," Klopp said.
"But usually he plays as an offensive midfielder or second striker. He can come in from the wing, he can play in the centre. He has quality and I think everyone recognises that."
