Roberto Firmino has penned a new long-term deal with the club…
Liverpool have received a timely boost amidst their frantic end to the season with the confirmation that forward Roberto Firmino has signed a new contract.
According to the Daily Telegraph, amongst others, the deal, announced on Sunday, runs until 2023 and is set to net the Brazilian around £9million-per-season.
That figure equates to £180,000-per-week, which makes Firmino the club’s highest paid player.
“It was an easy decision,“ remarked the 26-year-old to the official website. “The club have taken me in in an incredible way and I’ve grown a lot here with my work with the support of the whole team. I am very, very happy here.
“Everything fits in the best possible way. My teammates are fantastic and I am very grateful to be able to play with them at this club.
“I love to play for Liverpool FC. The fans are excellent and fantastic in how they support us all the way. They support us throughout the games and the work they do during the match is beautiful.”
Firmino moved to Liverpool from German side Hoffenheim for £29m in the summer of 2015 and after an indifferent start has firmly established himself as a key player and a fans favourite.
Although somewhat overshadowed by the exploits of Mohamed Salah, this season has been a standout one for the versatile attacker, who has added goals to his excellent work-rate and approach play.
The former Figueirense man has notched 27 times in 50 outings during 2017/18, taking his overall tally for the Reds to 50 in 140 appearances.
Firmino’s rich vain of form has also helped to cement his place in the Brazil squad, for whom he now has 19 caps to his name (five goals).
Commenting on the contractual development, Kop boss Jürgen Klopp said: “It is very important for both sides,” Klopp said. “I think everything we are doing, the way we play, the way we give him the opportunity constantly to play, he deserves that.
“He deserves that because his work-rate is outstanding but it helped him a lot to step up. He became a different player here. Other teams can say ‘Hmmm, he’s really good’ but it is not sure they will play the same way and use him as a nine or a 10 or they’ll use him out on the wings.
“It is never sure but of course it is important to keep these players who are at a good age and when there is still space for improvement.” (source: Liverpool ECHO)
Vital Comment
This is amazing news for everyone connected with Liverpool FC; Firmino is absolutely pivotal to the club on the pitch. In addition to scoring goals and making assists, he sets the tempo and leads Klopp’s quick pressing style from the front. Many of Salah’s record-breaking haul of goals have been made possible by his awareness, movement and/or selflessness. After a series of big name departures in recent years, it was imperative to secure Firmino long-term. Hopefully this time the new deal means something and isn’t just a financial safeguard against a future departure to Spain.
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