The news that Roberto Firmino will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after eight successful years sent shockwaves through the football world.
The 31-year-old striker has revealed not to renew his expiring contract and will part ways with the club when his current deal ends. Firmino joined Liverpool in 2015 in a £21.3m deal from Hoffenheim.
Since then, he has been an integral part of the team, scoring 107 goals and providing 78 assists in 352 appearances. He also became the highest-scoring Brazilian striker in Premier League history in 2019, with 78 goals in the top flight.
Firmino has won seven titles with Liverpool, including the Champions League in the 2018/19 season and the Premier League title a year later.
Firmino has struck nine times this season and provided four assists, although he has struggled with injury. Despite his impressive career at the club, Firmino has decided not to extend his contract and will instead pursue a new challenge.
Manager Jurgen Klopp had expressed several times that he wanted to work with Firmino beyond this summer, but the player has now decided to move on. The news of Firmino’s departure has saddened Liverpool fans, with many believing that the Brazilian has been one of the most critical players in the club’s recent success.
He has been crucial to the team’s attacking prowess and will be sorely missed. Finding a player with the same quality and consistency that Firmino achieved over his eight years at the club will be challenging. Still, Liverpool will be determined to find a suitable replacement.