Liverpool Boss Klopp ‘Surprised’ by Firmino’s Decision to Leave

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring the 7-0 goal during the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United in Liverpool, Britain, 05 March 2023. (EPA)
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring the 7-0 goal during the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United in Liverpool, Britain, 05 March 2023. (EPA)
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Liverpool Boss Klopp ‘Surprised’ by Firmino’s Decision to Leave

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring the 7-0 goal during the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United in Liverpool, Britain, 05 March 2023. (EPA)
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring the 7-0 goal during the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United in Liverpool, Britain, 05 March 2023. (EPA)

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he was "a little bit surprised" by Roberto Firmino's decision to leave the club at the end of the season but wants to end the Brazilian forward's eight-year Anfield career on a high.

Firmino, whose contract expires in June, has helped Liverpool win the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Club World Cup among other major honors since joining them from Hoffenheim in June 2015.

"Surprised? Yes, a little bit - it could go two ways and it went one. And I respect that a lot," Klopp told reporters on Friday. "But it's completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club.

"He told me and then the only other thing he said is, 'Now I want to bring this wonderful story to a positive end'."

Firmino, 31, has scored 108 goals in more than 350 games in all competitions and was part of a potent attacking trio with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, who left for Bayern Munich last June, that helped Liverpool win the 2019-20 league title.

"Sadio, Bobby and Mo together were for quite a while one of the best front three in world football," Klopp added.

Firmino scored seven times in 13 Premier League games before the World Cup break but missed two months following the restart after sustaining a calf injury and has been restricted to five substitute appearances since his return in February.

He came off the bench to score Liverpool's final goal in last Sunday's 7-0 hammering of rivals Manchester United.

"I loved the reception he got when he came on against United," Klopp said. "He is completely here and completely committed, and that's all we need to know.

"There's no time for a goodbye or whatever in this moment, there's enough time for that later in the season. He's one of these players that even when he would come with an opposition team, people would be really happy to see him."

Liverpool, fifth in the league with 42 points, travel to bottom club Bournemouth on Saturday.



Mahrez Aims to Land First Asian Champions League for Al Ahli

Roberto Firmino points to the sky after scoring Al Ahli's first goal in their Asian Champions League semi-final win against Al Hilal - AFP
Roberto Firmino points to the sky after scoring Al Ahli's first goal in their Asian Champions League semi-final win against Al Hilal - AFP
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Mahrez Aims to Land First Asian Champions League for Al Ahli

Roberto Firmino points to the sky after scoring Al Ahli's first goal in their Asian Champions League semi-final win against Al Hilal - AFP
Roberto Firmino points to the sky after scoring Al Ahli's first goal in their Asian Champions League semi-final win against Al Hilal - AFP

Riyad Mahrez has vowed Al Ahli will "fight for every second" to deliver a first Asian Champions League trophy for the Saudi club, when they contest the final against Japan's Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.

Al Ahli are competing for a second time in the Champions League era having lost to South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai in 2012.

However, they remain unbeaten in this season's competition.

Speaking on Friday at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Mahrez said Al Ahli are aware of the expectations surrounding the club, especially given that they will enjoy a raucous backing at their home stadium, AFP reported.

"Of course, we feel everything around the final," the former Manchester City player said. "You can take the positive of this fervor, all these people behind us.

"The positive is to motivate you to give everything for all these fans who deserve it and never won the Champions League. And we want to achieve something as a team as well with everyone who is working in the club who deserve this.

"That's why we're going to fight for everything, every minute, every second of the game, to lift the trophy."

Mahrez, a Champions League winner in Europe with City in 2023, leads the tournament in assists, with eight, while a goal in the final would draw him level at the top of the scoring charts on 10.

The Algerian is hugely decorated having also won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with his country.

"This is a trophy, but in another continent, in Asia," Mahrez said. "I've been lucky enough to play in teams that won a lot of trophies with big players, but when you play any trophy, any cup, it's always exciting.

"I'm really looking forward to it. I really want to win a trophy with this team, with this club and, like I said, I will give everything tomorrow."