Firmino has entered the final year of his contract with Liverpool, where he is not as prominent as he once was. The Brazilian used to star in between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in Jurgen Klopp’s attack.
However, the 2020 arrival of Diogo Jota eventually saw him usurped. The addition of Darwin Nunez this year – after Diaz effectively replaced Bayern Munich-bound Mane – means Firmino is further down the pecking order.
Still, there has been an expectation that he may at least see out the final year of his contract. But there are no guarantees he will stay this summer, especially with the World Cup coming up in November.
With that in mind, the Daily Mirror are reporting that Liverpool are going to hold talks with Firmino and those advising him shortly.
If he tells them he wants to consider an exit, they would not stand in his way. It would be preferable to cash in this year rather than lose him for free in 2023.
From his own perspective, Firmino knows he can only get in contention for Brazil’s squad for Qatar 2022 by featuring often enough at club level.
Hence, unless Jurgen Klopp can give him guarantees, it cannot be ruled out that Firmino will follow Mane out of the Anfield exit door this summer.
On the other hand, Klopp could continue to rely on the player he has used most across his managerial career. After all, injuries were partially behind Firmino’s decline in gametime last season, not necessarily a lack of preference by his manager.
Roberto Firmino faces tough choice
The outcome of the upcoming talks will be interesting to discover. There are arguments either way for Firmino.
At the age of 30, he still has plenty to offer, so doesn’t deserve to be restricted as a fringe player.