Liverpool ready for the ‘Next Firmino’ | OneFootball

Rising Talent Drawing Liverpool Attention

Liverpool supporters have never stopped debating what true succession to Roberto Firmino should look like. The original article from Anfield Watch puts fresh focus on that question by revealing growing excitement around Athletic Bilbao’s Selton Sanchez, an 18 year old attacking midfielder whose bloodline and playing profile both point directly back to Firmino. As the article notes, Firmino will be remembered as an iconic figure at Anfield, a player whose combination of intelligence, flair and relentless effort shaped an entire era. The suggestion that his heir may now be emerging is understandably attracting considerable interest.

Selton Sanchez Profile Rising Rapidly

Sanchez is already making meaningful waves in Spain. He captains Athletic Bilbao’s U19 team and recently helped deliver a statement result in the UEFA Youth League, scoring and adding two assists in a 4-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund. As quoted in the original piece, his debut for the senior team came in the Champions League where he featured for around 20 minutes against Newcastle United. Those are not the milestones of a routine prospect, they are markers of a player accelerating more quickly than expected.

The report highlights a particularly intriguing detail. Sanchez is Firmino’s cousin. The piece states that blood is not the only thing they share, and stresses that the younger relative mirrors Firmino’s technical excellence, vision and versatility. Anfield Watch summarises him as someone who can create, score and press with conviction, exactly the attributes Liverpool have historically valued in their attacking architecture.

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Fit For Liverpool System

Liverpool’s recruitment strategy under Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes continues to prioritise intelligent, multifunctional forwards who read space well and contribute intensively out of possession. Sanchez’s ability to play as a midfielder or as a number ten matches the hybrid roles often seen in Slot’s structure.

The comparison to Firmino carries weight when placed alongside Slot’s demands. Firmino famously knitted Liverpool’s attack together by dropping between lines, retrieving possession and initiating transitions through clever manipulation of the ball. Anfield Watch makes clear that Sanchez shows similar instincts. The article adds that he is regarded as one of Athletic Bilbao’s biggest prospects, which supports the claim that he may already be ready for a move to a club operating at Liverpool’s level.

Strategic Value In Pursuing Sanchez

Anfield Watch reminds readers that Michael Edwards admired Firmino deeply, and it is suggested that such admiration could easily extend to Sanchez. The article asserts that Sanchez may be just as good, a bold statement that reflects the excitement around his potential. Liverpool’s current squad contains high quality forwards, yet succession planning is always ongoing across multiple positions. With Hugo Ekitike emerging as a viable option at number nine, the arrival of an adaptable creator like Sanchez could enhance midfield attacking depth while also offering long term value.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool fans will inevitably feel a mixture of nostalgia and intrigue when any young forward is linked with Firmino. The comparison is a high bar for any teenager, yet there is something compelling about Selton Sanchez’s profile and the confidence expressed in the Anfield Watch report. Supporters will appreciate the detail that he presses with hunger and works tirelessly off the ball, because that was central to what made Firmino special. Many will also be encouraged by his leadership role at Athletic Bilbao and his exposure to Champions League football at such a young age.

There will naturally be caution as well. Liverpool have seen many academy stars across Europe linked with the club, only for progress to slow or expectations to misalign. Fans will want clarity regarding the club’s genuine level of interest and whether Sanchez is being monitored with intent or simply admired from afar. What cannot be ignored is that Liverpool’s system under Slot thrives on intelligent link players. If Sanchez truly carries elements of Firmino’s game, then he would be a fit stylistically and culturally.