Liverpool striker Firmino will use Brazil's World Cup snob as motivation

Roberto Firmino was 'frustrated' at missing out on Brazil's World Cup squad, but intends to use that as motivation.

The Liverpool striker was a surprise omission from head coach Tite for the tournament in Qatar, where Brazil were knocked out in the quarter-finals on penalties by Croatia.

Firmino had made a good start to the club season, scoring nine goals and registering four assists in 21 appearances (16 starts).

The 31-year-old sees himself as part of 'God's plan' and hopes this can inspire him to improve further.

"Of course it was frustrating not to be called up to the World Cup, but as I've said before, it's part of God's plan and I'm God's plan," he said. -he declared to talkSPORT.

"It really motivates me more and more not to have gone to the World Cup, so I will work hard to get back in the Selecao."

Although he had time to rest during the World Cup, Firmino was unable to play in either of Liverpool's first two games against Manchester City and Aston Villa due to illness, and he is little Nor is he likely to feature in Friday's home clash with Leicester City.

However, the player has suggested he should go well beyond that and will soon be back in training, further adding to manager Jurgen Klopp's attacking options.

"I'm already healed, thank God. I'll probably train tomorrow [Thursday]," Firmino added. [at Brentford on January 2]. So it's all good."

Liverpool had a shaky start to the season ahead of the World Cup, winning just six of their 14 Premier League games (D4, L4), but prevailed 3-1 at Aston Villa in their first game of the season. championship after the World Cup on Monday.

The club also confirmed the signing of Dutch striker Cody Gakpo from PSV on Wednesday, which will go ahead on January 1 pending a work permit, and Firmino is confident the Reds can continue and put their past problems behind them.

“Individually speaking, I started [the season] very well,” he said. "Of course as a team we didn't start the season well, but we are coming back.

"Thanks to the hard work we put in and our never-give-up mentality, we are now back and healthy."