Rumours have been rife of Firmino leaving Liverpool this summer, but Klopp claims it’s all nonsense. The German tactician claims the Brazilian forward still has a vital role at Anfield.
Liverpool will lock horns with Manchester City on Saturday afternoon for the Community Shield. A rivalry has grown between the Reds and the Citizens. Saturday would give a hunch of what to expect this season.
The rabid finish to last season that saw Liverpool lose the league to Manchester City and the Champions League to Real Madrid has set a solid tone for the coming campaign. While Manchester City boosted their attack with the sale of Gabriel Jesus and the signing of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, Liverpool made only one signing.
Liverpool lost Sadio Mane to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and replaced him with former Benfica striker Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan has not quite lived up to expectations in pre-season, and it has raised questions over the position of Roberto Firmino. The arrival of Nunez was supposed to signal the exit of Firmino, but Klopp has tagged it all as nonsense.
Will Firmino remain at Liverpool?
There have been speculations trailing the future of Brazil and Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian was part of the dreaded Liverpool attack that comprised himself, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, but it is clear that partnership is dead.
The departure of Sadio Mane and the arrival of several other forwards indicate that the end is near for the Brazilian forward. Despite the rumours surrounding his future, Jurgen Klopp has waved them aside and described it as mere paper talk. Perhaps this should give Firmino some confidence as Klopp insists that he was not living this summer.
Earlier this week, reports emerged from Italy that suggested Firmino was close to a Juventus move. The Brazilian has also had links to Newcastle in recent months. Despite the reports, Klopp has poured cold water on those links and claims they are untrue.
He is crucial to us – Klopp
In a press conference ahead of their Community Shield tie against Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp addressed the issue of Firmino. He said the Brazilian was crucial to the team. He lavished praise on Firmino, describing him as the heart and soul of the Reds.
Klopp said they played the way they did in the last few years, thanks to Roberto Firmino. According to Klopp, he was happy that Bobby could train with the team in the pre-season. He believes everything looks good.
Klopp said he is OK and has no doubt about the quality that Firmino possesses. The German seems patient. He is keen to see how the year pans out, but he surmises that Firmino is essential to the team.
The signing of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz saw Firmino see less game time at Liverpool last season but Klopp refuses to acknowledge that Bobby would act as a squad player role in the team.
Firmino made over 30 Premier League starts for five seasons, but last season, the 30-year-old Brazilian featured from the start just ten times and came off the bench another ten times.
