Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has said that he is hopeful new signing Roberto Firmino can fill Luis Suarez's boots at Anfield, but is wary of putting too much pressure on the Brazilian.

The 23-year-old signed for the Reds from Hoffenheim for a reported £29m fee last month.

While Lucas hopes that the attacker can have the same impact as Suarez, who left Anfield last year in a £75m deal to Barcelona, the midfielder believes that Firmino will take time to settle in.

"We will see where he fits in," the Liverpool Echo quotes Lucas as saying. "He showed in Germany what he is capable of and hopefully he will be able to adapt as soon as possible.

"Listen, I remember when Suarez arrived at Liverpool and people didn't know much about him. Hopefully he will be the new Suarez because that would be great for the club but it is not fair to put that pressure on him now. I think he has got all the attributes to be a great player for the club, for sure."

Firmino is yet to join up with the Liverpool squad as he was given extended holiday time due to his participation in the Copa America with Brazil.