Roberto Firmino could leave Liverpool post the signing of Cody Gakpo
Liverpool’s options in attack are pretty much stacked until the summer as the timely arrival of Cody Gakpo now means that the team at least has one uninjured left-winger. However, one of Liverpool’s forwards runs out of contract next summer and there is no official news on an extension yet.
The Reds’ #9 Roberto Firmino is out of contract in June 2023 (Transfermarkt), and following the signing of Gakpo, Bobby might see himself pushed further down the pecking order which is not an ideal situation for a player of his quality.
In 21 appearances across all competitions this season, he has nine goals and four assists making him the Reds’ second-highest marksman only to Mohamed Salah. Form-wise, he is probably in the “second peak” of his career and has been quality throughout.
Jurgen Klopp with Liverpool striker, Roberto Firmino. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)Firmino deserves a renewal
After the return of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota from their respective injury layoffs, a spot in the Starting XI will not stand guaranteed for any player, and there will obviously be a tough fight for places. More so for Bobby, who is the oldest among the Liverpool attackers at 31 years of age.
Even former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino had his doubts over Bobby’s future in the squad in the long run and here is what he told talkSPORT via The Express:
“He’s (Gakpo) so versatile that you can play him in any position in the forward line – and that’s typical of a Klopp signing, that he likes to use certain layers in different positions.”
“But, I think there will be a sad exodus for some players who have been terrific for Liverpool but have their contracts running down. And I think that will be Firmino in the summer.”
Indeed, it will be a sad exodus as no player has served the club as Firmino has and the Brazilian has always been a team player. In fact, he is gaffer Jurgen Klopp’s most used player at the Reds and in 348 appearances for the Merseysiders across all seasons, he has 107 goals and 78 assists.
Liverpool considering contract options for Roberto Firmino. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Hopefully, the club can sort him out a contract soon, as his performances throughout this season deserve instead of being shown the backdoor in any fashion. He is a fan favourite, and the departure of no player will have an impact as close to that of Bobby.
However, the good news is that the Reds are said to be considering a new short-term contract for the Brazilian, and hopefully, this comes out to be true because nobody deserves it more than the former Hoffenheim man.
At least until Jota and Diaz return, he could play a vital part up front for us. Moreover, we need this kind of depth in our team, especially the attack, in the upcoming years as well. Let’s not forget we signed only Darwin Nunez up front after losing Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino, and Sadio Mane this summer.
Source: thekoptimes.com
