Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Roberto Firmino will leave the club in the summer when his present deal expires.
The Brazilian has been at Anfield for eight years, making 249 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 79 goals and providing 50 assists in that time.
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"Yes, he told me," Klopp said in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s match with AFC Bournemouth. "Surprised? Yes, a little bit but I was not hit by surprise, actually it’s a normal thing to do.
“It could go two ways and it was one. And I respect that a lot. It’s completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club and with most of the players and stuff like this, and with the fans of course."
Firmino’s most recent goal came in the 7-0 win over Manchester United last Sunday after coming on as a substitute, when the 2019/20 Premier League champion got a great reception from the Liverpool fans.
"He told me and then the only other thing he said is, ‘Now I want to bring this wonderful story to a positive end.’"
“It’s pretty special and I loved the reception he got when he came on against United,” Klopp said. “He told me and then the only other thing he said is, ‘Now I want to bring this wonderful story to a positive end.’
“So, that’s it. He is completely here and completely committed, how everybody can imagine. And that’s all we need to know.”
Firmino’s 249 appearances place him third in the list of Brazilian representation in the Premier League, behind the 278 of Willian and 264 of Fernandinho. He is top of the scoring charts for Brazilians, with Gabriel Jesus, his nearest rival, 16 goals behind.
Top six Brazilian appearances and goals
| Player | Apps | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willian | 278 | Firmino | 79 |
| Fernandinho | 264 | Jesus | 63 |
| Roberto Firmino | 249 | Richarlison | 48 |
| Lucas Leiva | 247 | Coutinho | 47 |
| David Luiz | 213 | Willian | 41 |
| Ederson | 208 | Juninho | 29 |
