Liverpool Brazilian star Roberto Firmino breaks silence on Liverpool decision as Jürgen Klopp’s successor becoming clear

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp will be without Roberto Firmino from the end of this season, now that the Brazilian has admitted his decision to leave Anfield.

Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has broken his silence on his decision to leave Anfield at the end of the season as his contract expires after his agent confirmed the move just over a month ago.

Firmino has told Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp that he was ready to move on and there is expected to be plenty of interest in his free-transfer signing from throughout the game, with clubs in Italy and Spain all taking a look. closer.

“I won’t say much or I’ll get emotional,” Firmino told ESPN Brasil after his crucial goal against Arsenal made the game 2-2 at the weekend.

“Because it’s a beautiful legacy with a beautiful history, in such a big club. I’m very happy and grateful to God for everything we’ve built here.” But this is a new situation for me; I’ve never been there.

“I prayed a lot to God to keep me and help me in this process. I work hard, always ready to help the team and we are together until the end. I want to finish here with my teammate.”

It’s probably a good time for Firmino to continue despite his historic contribution and performance against Arsenal, as the striker is now 31 and entering the final stages of his career.

Liverpool has left too much to do in its midfield because of aging stars, and so moving some players on when they are over 30 is no bad thing as long as they are adequately replaced.

Firmino’s injury record over the past two seasons has been patchy and he has also been passed by others in the pecking order, meaning he will play more regularly by going elsewhere.

Perhaps the first sign Firmino was leaving came in January when Liverpool decided to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV in an initial $45m (£37m/€42m) deal. , although it was clear that having an extra midfielder was more of a priority.

Gakpo was used in the false nine position that Firmino made his own in his prime and in a move similar to Luis Díaz’s arrival at Liverpool six months before Sadio Man’s departure, it looked like some sort of foreshadowing.

Next season, Liverpool are hoping to make more use of Díaz as the Colombian has missed a significant part of this season through injury.

And Gakpo has handled the role very well for Liverpool so far, with him, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota hoping they can continue.

Also.. 

Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp explains Trent Alexander-Arnold change of position – ‘Not the first time!’

Trent Alexander-Arnold played in a midfield role in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, with Jurgen Klopp insisting it was “not the first time” for him.

Alexander-Arnold was part of a ‘double six’ with Fabinho for much of Sunday’s showdown with leaders Arsenal – a decision that did not go unnoticed by fans.

The 24-year-old found himself noticeably higher up the pitch in a high-intensity clash with the Gunners and the manager was asked about the position change in his post-match press conference.
“It’s not the first time,” explained the boss.

“We’ve done this before, but it wasn’t so obvious. But that’s what we used to do, we put Trent in.

“Today Trent played more inside in the build-up, double six, that’s how it is.

“Of course it takes some getting used to. I would say it’s a big step to do that in a game against Arsenal.”

Much has been said about Alexander-Arnold’s defensive performance in recent months, with many fans calling for the right-back to be moved to midfield.

The postponement meant Ibrahima Konaté was asked to replace the England international as he sought to provide more creativity in key areas. Klopp admitted the adjustment hadn’t been attempted for “a while” and was satisfied with the performance for that reason.

“It has opened up several opportunities for us, if you look back after we learned to use it,” Klopp told reporters.

“I thought he did a good job. It wasn’t the first time, but not for a while, so I like how he executed it.

It remains to be seen whether Alexander-Arnold will get any more minutes in midfield this season, something that could be used to make up for deficiencies in the middle of the park and spark creativity.

It would take a great deal of defensive responsibilities to be taken on by the likes of Konate and Virgil van Dijk, as well as Fabinho. But it certainly seemed to breathe new life into Liverpool as they overcame a two-goal deficit.