Roberto Firmino confirms Liverpool exit

Suraj Radia

• 3 Mar 2023 12:30 GMT
• 2 min read

Roberto Firmino has informed Jurgen Klopp that he will leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer when his contract expires.

Firmino joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim in 2015 and has made more than 350 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 107 goals and winning six trophies in the process.

According to Sky Sport Germany, the 31-year-old met with Klopp face to face to confirm his decision and, despite the Liverpool boss repeatedly expressing his desire to keep Firmino, the Brazilian will leave following ‘a good talk’.

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While it is unclear where Firmino will head to in the summer, the forward has been linked with moves to Juventus and Real Madrid in recent times and there will likely be a battle for his signature.

Although Firmino has been an integral part of Klopp’s success at Anfield, he has been relegated to a rotation option in recent times, making just ten starts in the Premier League last season and 11 so far this year.

However, despite losing his place in the team to summer signing Darwin Nunez, Firmino’s seven league goals is one more than the Uruguayan this season and he remains Liverpool’s second-top scorer behind Mohamed Salah.

End of an era for Firmino and Liverpool

Firmino’s departure would mark Liverpool’s continued transition into a new era under Klopp, having seen Sadio Mane leave last year to break up the Reds’ iconic frontline.

It would mean just Salah remains from the prolific trio that led Liverpool to their first league title of the century and the signing of Cody Gakpo in addition to Nunez could indicate the beginning of the end for many of Klopp’s stars.

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While Salah penned a new long-term contract with the club last year, the likes of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all likely leave along with Firmino when their deals also expire in the summer.

Having spent big on Nunez, Gakpo and Luis Diaz in the past 18 months, Liverpool will switch their attention to revitalising their midfield in the summer to continue their rebuild, with Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham the priority target.

However, with the Reds sitting in sixth place in the Premier League and six points off the top four, any potential big money signings could prove difficult without Champions League football next season.