Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that negotiations for a new contract for Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino are ongoing.
The former Hoffenheim player is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and will be able to begin pre-contract talks with foreign clubs as early as the January transfer window.
Firmino struggled to make an impact on the team during an injury-plagued 2021-22 season, but he has re-established himself as an important member of Klopp’s attack this season.
Firmino has nine goals and four assists in 21 appearances in all competitions this season, and he scored the opening goal in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Southampton..
Liverpool were expected to offer the 31-year-old a contract extension, and Klopp has confirmed that such talks are underway..
Normal conversations are also taking place, so we’ll see what happens there “Klopp told reporters after the game on Saturday, while also reacting to the striker’s omission from the Brazil World Cup squad.
“It was definitely a blow,” Klopp added. “You couldn’t see it in training, but you could definitely see it. To be honest, it was a setback for me.
“So I’m in the middle; I’m glad we have Bobby for a longer period of time, but I think he deserves it, I think he deserves everything in the world to be completely honest.
“And it demonstrates just how good and talented this Brazil squad is if you can leave a player like Bobby Firmino out, which is insane..
We will, of course, talk. We’ve done it before, and we might do it again, but he’s fine. Everyone can imagine his disappointment, but that’s all there is to it.
Brazil manager Tite has preferred attacking options such as Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, and Pedro for the 2022 World Cup, leaving 55-cap Firmino at home.
Since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2015, only three months before Klopp’s appointment, he has scored 107 goals and provided 78 assists in 348 appearances..
Liverpool went into the World Cup break on a high note, with Darwin Nunez scoring twice against Southampton, but they could drop to seventh if Brighton & Hove Albion beat Aston Villa on Sunday.
On Saturday, two Reds players reached a personal milestone: James Milner became the fourth player in Premier League history to reach 600 appearances, joining Gareth Barry, Ryan Giggs, and Frank Lampard.
Meanwhile, Andy Robertson’s 53rd Premier League assist tied him with Leighton Baines for the most by a defender in the competition..
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