Jurgen Klopp delivers latest Liverpool summer hint after explaining surprise decision
Almost every Kopite will have good wishes for Roberto Firmino as he gets ready to leave Liverpool. The striker has decided to conclude his time at Anfield as his contract ends this summer, despite receiving a new offer.
After eight years of dedicated service, he has made the choice to depart.
As a modern-day legend of the Reds, the departure of the Brazil international will be felt deeply. His manager will also be disappointed to see him go.
“Yes, he told me. Surprised? Yes, a little bit but I was not hit by surprise, actually it’s a normal thing to do,” said Jurgen Klopp ahead of Liverpool’s 1-0 loss to Bournemouth.
“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.
“It’s pretty special and I loved the reception he got when he came on against United. 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.”
Despite his impending departure, Firmino remains committed to helping Liverpool qualify for the Champions League in the final two-and-a-half months of the season. While he may not start every game, his recent substitute appearance against Bournemouth showed that he still has an important role to play.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Firmino is just one of five senior players who are out of contract, and his departure has already been confirmed. The club must still make decisions on the future of the remaining four players.
At 37 years old, James Milner is considering extending his career, but must decide whether to stay for a ninth season at Liverpool or move to a club where he can secure more playing time.
Similarly, third-choice goalkeeper Adrian is also faced with a similar decision. On the other hand, it appears likely that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will leave Liverpool after being excluded from recent Premier League squads.
However, the future of Naby Keita is perhaps the most interesting to follow. Since completing his transfer from RB Leipzig nearly six years ago (with the first year spent back on loan), Keita’s time at Anfield has been inconsistent and unpredictable.
Liverpool made a club-record £52 million investment in Keita when they signed him in 2017. The highly anticipated signing had supporters excited about what he would bring to the team, but now it seems likely that he will be departing the club as a free transfer.
Keita has not featured in the Liverpool squad for the third consecutive game, despite only a minor injury being cited as the reason for his absence in the Wolves game. He has also been spotted in training before the matches against Manchester United and Bournemouth, yet was not involved in either game. In contrast, Arthur Melo, who has only made one appearance since his loan from Juventus, was included in the reserve squad for the Bournemouth game.
This suggests that Keita may be on his way out of Liverpool. Although he will leave with a Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Club World Cup winners’ medals, his time at the club has largely been underwhelming.
Considering his age and the inconsistency of his performances, it seems like a departure would be the best decision for all parties involved. Despite being in the prime of his career at 28 years old, Keita’s time at Anfield has been marred by persistent injuries, preventing him from consistently showcasing his quality.
Throughout the past five seasons, Keita has made only 84 Premier League appearances, averaging just 16.8 appearances per campaign. In all competitions, he has played in 145 games for Liverpool. Although it had been rumored that his agent, Bjorn Bezemer, had held talks with Reds sporting director Julian Ward about a new contract last summer, Keita has only made 13 appearances in the 2022-23 season due to a hamstring injury that ruled him out until after the World Cup.
Despite Klopp having previously praised Keita’s abilities, and van Dijk hailing him as world-class, the midfielder’s time at Anfield has not lived up to expectations. A departure may be the best move for both Liverpool and Keita.
Keita’s inconsistent performances and injury problems have hindered his impact at Liverpool, and it seems that a departure this summer would be in the best interests of all parties involved.
Despite flashes of brilliance, Keita has struggled for consistency and has made only 84 Premier League appearances in five seasons. Last summer, talks were held regarding a new contract, but Keita has only played 13 times this season, largely due to a hamstring injury.
With Liverpool looking to rebuild their midfield and Keita’s contract expiring this summer, letting him go on a free transfer could be the most sensible decision for the club.
Jurgen Klopp delivers latest Liverpool summer hint after explaining surprise decision
Jurgen Klopp delivers latest Liverpool summer hint after explaining surprise decision
