Roberto Firmino has claimed Brazil team-mate Fred is now his ‘rival’ following the midfielder’s move to Manchester United.
Fred, 25, was announced as United’s first signing of the summer earlier this week in deal which is understood to have cost Jose Mourinho’s side around £52million.
Neymar and several other members of Brazil’s squad were seen congratulating Fred on the move at Tottenham’s training ground as Tite’s men prepared for their World Cup warm-up match with Austria.
Firmino has revealed he passed on his best wishes to Fred but warned that national allegiances will be put to one side when Liverpool face United next season.
‘He’s is in the next room to me, he is my next rival but I congratulated him and I hope he has a lot of success playing at Manchester United,’ the Liverpool forward said. ‘Now on the pitch it’s a derby, we won’t be able to avoid playing against each other but I wish him great success.’