Roberto Firmino outlines the reasons for leaving Liverpool ahead of emotional Anfield finale
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino admits that he will cry after an expectedly emotional Anfield farewell following the game against Aston Villa.
Firmino will take some part in the Villa after recovering from an injury. Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Friday that the Brazilian has trained with the team for a few days now.
Apart from admitting the falling of tears, the 31-year-old, who arrived at Liverpool in 2015 and won every club trophy here, talked about what he will miss and why he is leaving now.
Here’s what Firmino said (h/t Guardian):
“It is time, unfortunately. The cycle here is ended and I understand it is time to go. I am very proud for everything that I have done here with the team, what we achieved together and the beautiful history we made together. I am very proud. Maybe one day I could come back, I don’t know, but it’s time to go.
“I don’t remember the first time I heard it [his song] but when I knew the fans had created a song for me I was very happy because it’s symbolic. It means they love me and always when I heard my song it gave me the courage and the motivation to work harder, to do more for the team and to do my best.
“I am trying to focus on the game [vs Villa]. But after it I will cry 100%.”
After a stuttering start to his Liverpool career under Brendan Rodgers, Firmino came into his own and became a key member of the squad under Klopp. He mastered the false nine position and created a legendary forward line partnership with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
The trio led the Reds line for many years and helped the team win the Champions League and the Premier League amongst all the other silverware.
But, as Klopp said on Friday, nothing in football is for eternity. We saw Mane leaving last summer, now it is time for Firmino to go. The Brazilian himself admitted that the cycle is over.
During the 2019/20 season, after an away win against Tottenham Hotspur, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville labelled the 31-year-old as magnificent and claimed that any manager would him as their centre-forward.
That’s how good Firmino has been for Liverpool. When the farewell happens after the game, we can expect tears not just from the player, but from the fans as well.
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Before that though, there is an important and tough game against Villa to be played. To keep the slim Champions League hopes alive, Liverpool must win later today.
