Firmino arrives early and gets tested in Brazil training
Photo: Matthias Schrader, AP Image 1 of / 2 Caption Close Image 1 of 2 Liverpool's Roberto Firmino jumps for the ball next to Real Madrid's Casemiro during the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. less Liverpool's Roberto Firmino jumps for the ball next to Real Madrid's Casemiro during the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, ... more Photo: Matthias Schrader, AP Image 2 of 2 Real Madrid's Daniel Carvajal, left, and Liverpool's Roberto Firmino challenge for the ball during the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. less Real Madrid's Daniel Carvajal, left, and Liverpool's Roberto Firmino challenge for the ball during the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, ... more Photo: Sergei Grits, AP Firmino arrives early and gets tested in Brazil training 1 / 2 Back to Gallery
LONDON (AP) — Roberto Firmino joined up with Brazil's World Cup squad earlier than expected and was rewarded by coach Tite with a place up front alongside Neymar in training on Tuesday.
The Liverpool striker, expected to vie for a spot with Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus, lined up with Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar and Chelsea's Willian in an open session at Tottenham's training center.
"Liverpool is nearby so I decided to rush here," Firmino jokingly told the Brazilian football confederation's website. "I came by train. I had two more days to stay at home but I decided to come early and start now."
He had been excused until Wednesday after playing in the Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Madrid's Casemiro and Marcelo plan to arrive in London on Wednesday as scheduled.
Miranda, a starter during much of the qualifying campaign, was replaced by Thiago Silva in defence on Tuesday.