Roberto Firmino’s departure from Liverpool in 2023 was a significant moment for both the player and the club. His decision to leave for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League came as a surprise to many fans, but as Firmino revealed, the turning point was a last-minute substitution during a Premier League match against Wolves. This incident left the Brazilian forward reflecting on his future, ultimately leading him to conclude that it was time to move on from Anfield after eight years of remarkable success.

Firmino’s impact at Liverpool cannot be overstated. A pivotal figure in Jürgen Klopp’s attack, Firmino’s ability to play as a “false 9” redefined the role, allowing him to link up with teammates like Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in a dynamic forward line that terrorized defences. His 111 goals and 75 assists in 392 appearances are testament to his influence, but it was his creativity, movement, and flair that made him unique. His signature no-look goals became iconic, symbolizing his confidence and style.

In his book Si Senor: My Liverpool Years, Roberto Firmino opened up about his decision to leave Liverpool for the Saudi Pro League, where he joined Al-Ahli in 2023. The Brazilian international detailed the emotional journey that led to his departure from a club he had grown to love deeply. After eight memorable years at Anfield, where he became a beloved figure among fans and one of Jürgen Klopp’s key players, Firmino felt that it was time for a new chapter.

Firmino described how the last-minute substitution against Wolves in the Premier League acted as a pivotal moment in his decision to move on. It signaled a changing role within the team and a realization that his time at Liverpool was naturally coming to an end. Despite still being cherished by the fans and his teammates, the Brazilian forward believed it was the right moment to explore a new challenge.

What made the Brazilian leave Liverpool

“The straw that broke the camel’s back was a match against Wolves, in which I came on as a substitute in the last minute. That was it. Right there, I understood.”

“It wasn’t a war. It was just a difference in understanding about what I could offer to Liverpool. I reflected a lot and realized that God’s plan was to take me somewhere else. The signs were all there since that conversation with Pastor Daniel in Maceio. I had been stubborn.”

“God didn’t want me to stay in Liverpool, but I was insisting. I didn’t listen. But I couldn’t avoid it any more. It was time to accept. I decided it was time to seek another challenge for myself, another purpose. My time at Liverpool had come to an end.”

Roberto Firminho in his Book Si Senor: My Liverpool Years

Since his move to Al-Ahli in 2023, Roberto Firmino has found it challenging to replicate the consistent brilliance he displayed during his time at Liverpool. The 33-year-old forward, who left Anfield as an iconic figure, has managed 19 goal contributions in 43 appearances so far in Saudi Arabia—a respectable tally, but not quite the level of performance that made him one of the world’s most creative and influential false nines at Liverpool.

Firmino now shares the attack with fellow stars like Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney, forming a high-profile front line that brings a lot of experience and talent to the Saudi Pro League. His move followed the wave of Premier League stars making their way to Saudi Arabia, a trend kicked off by Cristiano Ronaldo’s landmark transfer to Al-Nassr in 2022. Like many others who joined the exodus, Firmino was attracted by the growing prominence of Saudi football and the opportunity to explore a new chapter in his career.

While Firmino’s contribution to Al-Ahli has been steady, his time in Saudi Arabia is seen as more of a winding down period after his incredible run with Liverpool, where he secured numerous titles and became a key player in their golden era under Jürgen Klopp. Now in a different environment, Firmino continues to showcase his skills, but it’s clear that his peak years in European football will remain his lasting legacy.

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During his time at Liverpool, Firmino collected an enviable array of trophies, including the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup. He was a key cog in Klopp’s pressing system, often sacrificing personal glory for the benefit of the team. However, as Firmino approached the latter stages of his career, the moment of that last-minute substitution likely signalled to him that it was time to seek a new challenge.

Al-Ahli provided Firmino with that fresh start, and the Saudi Pro League gave him an opportunity to showcase his talents in a new environment. Although his departure marked the end of an era for Liverpool, Firmino’s legacy at Anfield remains firmly intact as one of the greatest “false 9s” of his generation and a fan favourite who left an indelible mark on the club’s modern history.