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SOCCER

Firmino tells Liverpool he’s leaving

The Brazil international will bid Anfield farewell when his contract expires in June. He has already informed Jürgen Klopp of his plans to move on.

Update:
Firmino tells Liverpool he’s leaving
Shaun BotterillGetty Images

Roberto Firmino’s time at Liverpool will reach its conclusion this summer. The Brazil international, who had been negotiating new terms with the club, has decided that it is time to move on to pastures new and will be eligible to join the club of his choice as a free agent when his contract with Liverpool runs out in June.

A popular player with fans since joining the Reds on a 23 million deal from Hoffenheim in 2015, Bobby has been a fine servant for the club during the past seven and a half years. In 353 first team appearances, he has scored 107 goals and played a direct part in a further 78. Outstanding achievements include the team’s Champions League triumph in 2021 and winning the league title - the club’s first of the Premier League era in 2019/2020.

No-look Bobby

His casual, laid-back temperament has been a positive influence inside the Liverpool dressing room and with his team mates out on the pitch. Klopp labelled him a different player, a skillful, quick-thinking and ingenuous forward who always seemed capable of pulling something out of the hat, with the versatility to play in any of the attacking positions.

Together with Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, he formed part of one of the most prolific and feared frontline in the English game - often unselfishly laying the ball off to one of the other two to score allowing them to take the limelight rather than himself. He brought up his century in the 9-0 win over Bournemouth back in August - 100 goals which included highlights such as his extra-time winner in the Club World Cup final against Flamengo, a deft backheel finish against Watford, a majestic half-volley into the top corner against Stoke and his signature ‘no-look’ finishes - all of which he executed without any mishaps.

But the last couple of seasons have been blighted by injuries - the most recent, a calf muscle injury which kept him sidelined for two months. He reappeared in last month’s Merseyside derby and has been used as a sub in the last four league games.

Summer exodus and rebuild

The 31-year-old is reported to have told Klopp after training this week that he won’t be renewing his contract, giving them time to start the search for a replacement. At the moment, he has not decided where his next port of call will be and has promised to give his all for the team between now and the end of the campaign.

It’s possible that Firmino won’t be the only one to be leaving this summer - James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Olxlade-Chamberlain will all be out of contract in June and after what has been a drab, uninspiring season by Liverpool’s standards, perhaps the time has come for a major overhaul of the squad.