Roberto Firmino: Carragher makes major claim before Liverpool exit, as second Serie A suitor joins race

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes it is “best for all parties” that Roberto Firmino will be leaving the club in the summer.

Firmino is due to become a free agent at the end of the season, after eight campaigns at Anfield. Liverpool have been thinking about renewing his stay, since he has been one of their more reliable performers this season. However, the Brazil international has also been attracting interest from elsewhere.

And it emerged on Friday that Firmino has now told Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp that he intends to find a new club in the summer. The initial scoop from Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany has since been backed up by other sources. Hence, he is reaching the end of his time as a Liverpool player.

Other than Firmino, Liverpool can call upon Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and others in attack. Therefore, he wouldn’t be a regular starter anymore if he stayed.

It seems to be the main reason behind Firmino’s exit decision. However, he provided unique qualities for their attack, which they will find hard to replace.

According to Carragher, though, it is in everyone’s best interests for Firmino to head elsewhere. He will leave a legacy behind him, though, after starring in between Salah and Sadio Mane at the peak of Liverpool’s powers in the Klopp era.

Carragher tweeted: “If the reports about Firmino leaving at the end of the season are true, I do think it’s best for all parties.

“He’s a Liverpool great and will be remembered for being part of one of the best front threes we’ve seen.”

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Juventus join race for Roberto Firmino

Soon, the attention will turn to where Firmino is going to move next. He has already been linked quite heavily with Inter Milan; they might need another attacker if they send Romelu Lukaku back to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell.

But according to Calciomercato, he could now become a target for Juventus as well. There, he may end up as a replacement for Dusan Vlahovic, who has been linked with a few Premier League sides.

Either way, Firmino’s destiny could be to play in Serie A for the first time in his career. It would be the third major European league he has experienced after his time in the Bundesliga and Premier League.

Inter and Juventus have both been dealing with some financial scrutiny. Therefore, they are looking for low-cost options. Signing Firmino for free – after he has been a long-term target for both rivals – would be an ideal piece of business.

Since he is already within the last six months of his contract, Firmino is free to speak to his suitors abroad ahead of a free transfer in the summer. Hence, he might be hearing from Inter or Juventus soon.

It will be important for Liverpool to keep relying on him, though, until he does depart. They have struggled this season, but it could have been worse without his seven goals from 16 league appearances so far.

Overall in a Liverpool shirt, Roberto Firmino has scored 107 goals in 352 appearances. He has been Klopp’s most used player, so his exit will represent the end of an era.

At the age of 31, the former Hoffenheim star still has plenty to offer and could take any new challenge in his stride. The immediate priority, though, will be to leave Liverpool on a high note.

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