Darren Ambrose believes it is the ‘real end of an era’ at Liverpool with Roberto Firmino set to leave Anfield. The striker has now told Jurgen Klopp that he will not renew his contract.
Liverpool will bid farewell to a second member of the Reds’ iconic front three at the end of the season. Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg first reported on Friday that Firmino had informed Klopp that he has decided to seek a new challenge at the end of his contract.
Firmino’s existing deal is due to expire on June 30 after eight years on Merseyside. The 31-year-old came to the Premier League from TSG Hoffenheim in June 2015 for £29m. He has since amassed 353 appearances for the Anfield natives with 107 goals and 78 assists so far.
Roberto Firmino has told Jurgen Klopp that he will leave Liverpool this summer
Reports by 90min add that Firmino decided to leave Anfield at the end of his contract after Liverpool told the Brazilian that he would be some way down Klopp’s pecking order if he opted to stay. The Reds also have Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.
Klopp had wanted Firmino to put pen to paper on fresh terms and Liverpool held talks with his representatives. But the £180k-a-week ace felt it was time to part company and Anfield chiefs respected his choice. Now, the forward may be set for a free transfer to Galatasaray.
According to Calciomercato, Galatasaray have stepped forward straight away and are even willing to match his current wage. Juventus and Inter Milan are also monitoring the 55-cap international’s situation. A Spor also claims Firmino would look forward to a move to Gala.
Darren Ambrose believes Roberto Firmino will go down as an Anfield legend
Ambrose believes Firmino will go down as a Liverpool legend and feels the forward leaving at the end of his contract will be a ‘huge loss’ for Klopp. The former Crystal Palace star also feels it marks the end of the Reds’ iconic front three following Sadio Mane’s exit last year.
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“Does he go down as a Liverpool legend? Absolutely, 100 per cent,” he has told talkSPORT. “For a player who has won that many trophies, scored that many goals and has been very self-sacrificial for the team. He gave up a part of his game to help Mane and Salah.
“I think he was the key. It’s the end of an era at Liverpool. It was the end of an era when Mane left, really. But it’s a real end of an era now because Firmino is leaving, too.
“I think it’s a huge loss. He’s been outstanding for the club. There are three levels, I think – icon, legend and cult hero – and Firmino, for me, is a definite legend at Liverpool.”
Liverpool sold Mane to Bayern Munich last June for an initial £27.5m. The fee can rise £5m via appearance-based add-ons and a further £2.5m via individual and team achievements.
Firmino will now leave Liverpool for free at the end of his contract in June. He exits Anfield with winners’ medals from the 2018/19 Champions League plus 2019/20 Premier League, 2021/22 EFL Cup and 2021/22 FA Cup. The Reds also won the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup.
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