Roberto Firmino departed in tears as Anfield paid tribute to four departing Liverpool stars

Roberto Firmino departed in tears as Anfield paid tribute to four departing Liverpool stars

Roberto Firmino scored on his last Anfield appearance, sealing the occasion with a dramatic late equalizer as Liverpool drew against Aston Villa.

Roberto Firmino was honored with a banner on the Kop during Saturday afternoon’s match.

Roberto Firmino scored a dramatic late equalizer on the day Anfield paid tribute to the departing Brazilian star on his final home appearance.

Liverpool paid tribute to two of their longest serving players, with James Milner and Firmino both receiving awards from the club in the Reds’ final home game of the season. Banners were hoisted over the Kop before the match, with both players cheered as their names were read, with both on the substitutes’ bench for a crucial match. Both players were acclaimed in the closing stages, their presence boosting the Reds. Firmino equalized in the 89th minute from a cross from Mo Salah and the 31-year-old had the opportunity to celebrate his goal in front of a jubilant Kop.

A tearful Firmino was hugged by compatriot Alisson after the game, while the Reds goalkeeper tearfully hugged his team-mate and whispered words in his ear after a remarkable winning streak together.

After the match, they were able to feel the love from Anfield supporters and take a tour of the pitch to show their appreciation to the club’s supporters, as the players’ families joined them on the pitch.

As the players took their turns on the pitch, the Kop sang a song dedicated to the outgoing Firmino as he absorbed the love for a city he had called home for eight years. Both players arrived before Jurgen Klopp took over, with their arrival in 2015 as the club began a remarkable climb to success.

The Reds eventually won the Champions League title in 2019 and a Premier League title a year later in 2020. Firmino in particular was praised for his part in a terrifying attacking trio alongside Salah and Sadio Mane.

Mane left the club last summer which means Salah is now the only member of the three iconic fronts to be at the club next season.

Roberto Firmino is comforted by Liverpool teammate Allison

Firmino’s next destination is unclear, but given that he has been a key player in one of Europe’s top clubs in recent years, there will be plenty of interest in him.

Milner was given a fond farewell in his last game at Anfield as the 37-year-old moved to Brighton next season.

His 330 appearances for the club in eight years have earned him a string of major accolades, with the former Manchester City midfielder becoming a popular figure at Anfield and a useful servant, often called upon to play out of position.

All four departing players, which also included Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, were all given a guard of honour by teammates and club staff following the match, with a parting gift presented to each player.

Speaking in March as it was announced that Firmino would leave the club, Klopp spoke of his admiration for the Brazilian, revealing how his legacy would live on at Anfield.

He said: “There’s no time for a goodbye or whatever in this moment, there’s enough time for that later in the season. Whenever he will come back, everybody knows that the song will still be for a long, long time in everybody’s ears I’m pretty sure.”

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Liverpool have taken the race for the Premier League top four further than anyone could have imagined a few weeks ago as we enter the final week of the season

Liverpool’s season draws to a close, with just one game remaining after their final home game against Aston Villa.

The Reds closed the curtain on another season at Anfield with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa. Roberto Firmino’s late equalizer saved a point, putting the race for the top four into the final week of the season.

And it proved to be an emotional afternoon on Merseyside as Liverpool fans bid farewell to Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, with the foursome confirming they will be leaving the club this summer.

But before that there is one last game for Jürgen Klopp’s men, and much is still to come. The Reds are still chasing a place in the top four and would qualify for the Champions League next season. To do this, however, they must hope for slips on one of the two sides directly above them.

Newcastle and Manchester United have their fates in their hands and are favorites for their places at the top of the European table, but the race for the top four has gone much further than anyone could have imagined a few weeks ago.

Liverpool will watch with interest as their two rivals play their penultimate match next week.

Newcastle can secure a place in the top four if they win something against Leicester at St James’ Park on Monday, and could relegate the Foxes at the same time. It seems likely that the Magpies will play in the Champions League next season, leaving Manchester United with the best hope of a Liverpool blunder.

Erik ten Hag’s side ends its campaign with two home games following its win over Bournemouth, starting with Chelsea on Thursday before Fulham travels to Old Trafford, with the Reds needing Manchester United to lose both of their games if they’re to overtake them.

Liverpool.com says: It looks as though Liverpool will be in the Europa League next season, although it has taken the race for the top four down to the final week, which is to its credit given how desperate the situation looked just a few weeks ago.

Klopp and his men will still hold out some hope they can sneak past their great rivals Manchester United on the final day, but in the end, they gave themselves too much to do with their performances earlier in the season. Regardless of where Liverpool finishes, all focus should be on the rebuild in the transfer window this summer.