Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is expecting his fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino to improve on his impressive debut season with the Reds.

The 24-year-old, who joined the Merseyside's in a £29million deal from Hoffenheim last summer, scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists in his first campaign with the cub and according to Lucas will only be better in 2016/17.

"He had a very good season last year, but normally in your second season you get better, you play better," Lucas told the club's official website.

"He knows the team now, he knows the players - he's got a good connection with some players already, so we hope he can maintain the level of performance he had last year and hopefully even improve.

"I think he showed in many games that he can be a very important player for us and hopefully that will be the case this year."