“I try to concentrate on the game, but afterwards I will cry”, Roberto Firmino said ahead of Saturday’s game against Aston Villa (4 p.m.), Liverpool’s last home game of the season. The Reds coach, Jürgen Klopp, has indeed confirmed that the 31-year-old, at the end of the contract, is one of four players who would leave at the end of the seasonwith James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
For his last match at Anfield, the Brazilian striker, who is preparing to leave the Premier League club after eight seasons filled with titles, therefore expects to shed tears. Author of 109 goals since his transfer from Hoffenheim in 2015, the Brazilian has won all the major trophies with Liverpool, including the Premier League (2020), the Champions League (2019), the FA Cup (2022) and the League Cup (2022). “I will miss everything: my teammates, the club, the supporters, especially the supporters, said entrusted Firmino. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished here together. For everything the club has done for me and my family, I am very happy. »
“Maybe one day I can come back, I don’t know”
In his prime, Firmino was the pivot of Liverpool’s three-man attack, along with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. But he has become a fringe player over the past two seasons. “Now is the time, unfortunately. The cycle here is over and I understand it’s time to leavehe added. I’m very proud of everything I’ve done here with the team, of what we’ve achieved together and of the great history we’ve written together. Maybe one day I can come back, I don’t know, but it’s time to go. »