Roberto Firmino appears set to depart Liverpool in the summer. The striker has been at the Merseyside club since 2015 and has played over 350 total matches for the club. However, his current contract with the Reds is set to expire at the end of the season.
Sky Sports is reporting that the 31-year-old forward will leave Liverpool when his deal runs out. The news outlet claims that Firmino even confirmed his intentions to team manager Jürgen Klopp on Friday.
Klopp previously told reporters that there were no issues between the club and Firmino. “There is no reason to give too detailed information but when you think a bit, where could it hang? It could be the time, it could be the money or these kinds of things, but it is completely normal,” Klopp said prior to Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea in January.
“Bobby knows the situation here and what we think of him, that’s clear. And there is nothing else to say, there is no problem or whatever, it is just the situation. I can’t see any kind of problems there.”
Player recently proclaimed that he was happy at club
Firmino even spoke about his future in January as well. The Brazilian told the official Liverpool magazine that he is happy at the club. “It’s incredible playing high-level football here with great players, stars of the game,” stated Firmino. “I’m happy here and I intend to stay here and help Liverpool FC. It’s a dream for all players to win the Premier League and Champions League.
“It’s history, a huge legacy. When it happened, we felt tremendously privileged, grateful to God for having given this to us.”
Roberto Firmino was vital for Liverpool, fell in pecking order
Nevertheless, it seems as if Firmino will soon be moving on. The striker has racked up an impressive 107 goals and 78 assists in 353 total games with the Reds. He was also instrumental in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League triumphs in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
The introductions of Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo have, however, hindered Firmino’s playing time this season. In fact, the Brazilian has managed just 11 total starts in the Premier League during the current campaign. He has not seen an appearance in Klopp’s starting XI since November in league play.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Sebastian Frej
