Roberto Firmino’s Liverpool future had been cast into doubt in recent weeks, with Serie A giants Juventus reportedly keen to bring the Brazilian to Italy.
Now, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has had his say on the 30-year-old forwards future and it seems in the German tactician’s eyes that Firmino is going nowhere.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official club website, Klopp spoke of Firmino’s importance to the squad and how without him, everything he has achieved at Anfield would have been impossible.
The boss is in no doubt regarding the significance of the role Roberto Firmino will play for us this season, lauding him as the ‘heart and soul’ of the team 🙌
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 28, 2022
“Bobby is crucial for us,” Klopp told his pre-FA Community Shield press conference in Austria on Thursday. “Bobby is [the] heart and soul of this team.”
“The way we played in the last few years was only possible because of Bobby. That’s why I’m really happy he could train the majority of the time here in the pre-season so far and everything looks really good.”
“I am absolutely fine and, for me, there’s no doubt about his quality. All the rest, we will see how this year goes, but yes, he is essential for us.”
The comments from the boss will be music to the ears of Reds fans, who were concerned that the Brazilian international’s time on Merseyside may be up.
Firmino has one year left on his current Liverpool contract, which means the club could potentially lose the forward on a free transfer next summer if they don’t agree to an extension.