Roberto Firmino has been linked with a summer move to Juventus - but Klopp insists he remains a key player for the Reds
(Image credit: Suhaimi Abdullah/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has shot down rumours that Roberto Firmino could leave the club this summer by describing the Brazilian as ‘the heart and soul of this team’.
Increased competition for a starting spot, particularly following the blockbuster summer signing of Darwin Nunez, resulted in speculation that Firmino’s time at Anfield could be up – but Klopp is having none of it.
(Image credit: Getty)
"Bobby is crucial for us. He is the heart and soul of this team.
"The way we played the last few years was only possible because of Bobby. That’s why I’m really happy that he could train the majority of pre-season so far.
"Everything looks really good so I am absolutely fine and for me there is no doubt about his quality. We will see how this year goes but yes, he is essential for us."
Firmino has played a key part in Liverpool’s success under Klopp, scoring 98 goals in 327 appearances over the last seven seasons.
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The Brazilian has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup in that time.
Firmino’s game time was restricted in an injury-hit 2021/22 campaign, and but he still ended the season with a respectable return of 11 goals in 35 games in all competitions.
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Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.
