Liverpool forward Firmino moved to 'safehouse' following burglary

Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino was forced to spend Christmas in a hotel room ‘safehouse’ after his home was ransacked by a “hooded gang”.

The Brazilian was targeted by crooks over the festive period, with a raid on his Mossley Hill home seeing £70,000 worth of belongings taken.

Understandably shaken, the 25-year-old and his young family were moved out of the dwelling for their own safety.

That meant Firmino, his wife and two children had to spend the festive period away from their house.

Those responsible for the burglary are said to have spent days watching the property before making their move.

Nobody was in at the time of the raid, with Firmino the latest high-profile sporting star to be the target of such a sting.

He is now back in familiar surroundings, with Liverpool having placed a security team at his home.

Police are, however, still searching for the culprits and are yet to recover the lost jewellery, watches and clothes.

Detective Inspector Steve Christian, from Liverpool CID, told the ECHO: “I’d like to appeal to the consciences of the offenders and ask them to put themselves in the victim’s position and think how they would feel if this happened to them.

“While the occupiers were not in at the time, it has clearly been very upsetting to find their home has been targeted in this way.

“I would ask the offenders to do the right thing and return the stolen items to the owner in any way possible.

“I would also like to appeal to anyone who might have been offered the items for sale since the burglary to contact police, and anyone who was in the Carnatic Road area on that night to contact us if they remember anything suspicious.”

Days after the burglary, on Christmas Eve, Firmino was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, with the Brazilian set to appear in court on January 31.