Liverpool Boss, Klopp Reveals His Reaction To Firmino’s Exit Decision

Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has admitted Roberto Firmino’s decision to leave Liverpool left him “a bit surprised”, but insists he respects the Brazilian’s wishes.

In a face-to-face conversation with Klopp last week, Firmino disclosed his plans to leave Anfield when his contract expires at the conclusion of the current season.

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The Brazilian received an offer from Liverpool to remain with the team for at least another year, but the 31-year-old is now looking for a fresh challenge after eight years on Merseyside.

Klopp told reporters: “Yes, he told me. Surprised? Yes, a little bit but I was not hit by surprise, actually it’s a normal thing to do.

“It could go two ways and that was one. And I respect that a lot. It’s completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club and with most of the players and stuff like this, and with the fans of course.

“It’s pretty special and I loved the reception he got when he came on against [Manchester] United. He told me and then the only other thing he said is, ‘Now I want to bring this wonderful story to a positive end’. So, that’s it. He is completely here and completely committed, how everybody can imagine. And that’s all we need to know.

“There’s no time for a goodbye or whatever in this moment, there’s enough time for that later in the season. Whenever he will come back, everybody knows that the song will still be for a long, long time in everybody’s ears I’m pretty sure!

“No problem. I think he’s one of these players that even when he would come with an opposition team, people would be really happy to see him.”

Since moving to Liverpool from Hoffenheim in 2015, Firmino has made 354 appearances, scoring 108 goals and contributing significantly to the squads that won the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, League Cup, and FA Cup within a three-year span between 2019 and 2022.

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The Reds are back in Premier League action this Saturday when they travel to Bournemouth (12.30pm GMT).