Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Roberto Firmino exit clarified, as Fabrizio Romano hints at surprise Liverpool decision

Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino

Fabrizio Romano has cleared up reports linking Roberto Firmino with a move to Italy, and the transfer guru has hinted what outcome Liverpool will seek.

Firmino, 31, is in the midst of a remarkable resurgence at Anfield. The Brazilian hasn’t hit double figures for league goals since the 2018-19 campaign when notching 12. After just nine appearances in the current campaign – of which two weren’t starts – he’s already bagged six goals.

He’s scored two more in the Champions League to bring his overall tally to eight. In typical Firmino fashion, he’s also helped his teammates when laying on four assists.

Firmino has been a shining light for much of a campaign in which many around him have struggled. However, there has been growing speculation his heroics this season could be the beginning of a swansong.

Indeed, Firmino’s contract expires next summer, meaning he’s free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs come January 1.

Two such clubs linked with bringing the Liverpool fan favourite on board are AC Milan and Juventus.

Calciomercato reported the Italian heavyweights like what they see and are mulling moves. Serie A has often proved fertile ground for ageing superstars in the past and Firmino could follow that trend.

What’s more, now aged 31, Liverpool could believe the time is right to move on.

Nunez Firmino’s replacement? Perhaps not yet

They sold Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich last summer six months after landing long-term replacement Luis Diaz.

One school of thought suggested Darwin Nunez is Firmino’s heir apparent, though transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has hinted that may not be the immediate plan.

Via Caught Offside, the trusted journalist clarified that as yet, no talks have taken place between Firmino and Milan or Juventus.

Furthermore, Romano insisted Firmino is “still regarded as an important player” by Liverpool, thus hinting a contract extension may be in Firmino’s future.

“At the moment, there are no talks between AC Milan or Juventus and Roberto Firmino, despite reports,” said Romano.

“Firmino is still regarded as an important player at Liverpool, and a decision will be made in 2023,”

There had been talk of Juventus placing a £19.5m bid for Firmino back in July. However, Romano declared those reports to be wide of the mark.

“Rumours of negotiations between Juventus and Firmino in July were completely fake,” added Romano.

Should Liverpool extend Firmino stay?

Liverpool must be wary of the average age of their squad creeping up.

Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah are all in Klopp’s strongest eleven and are all over 30. Elsewhere, James Milner and Firmino are both beyond 30 too.

However, Milner is the prime example of how a veteran star can be utilised well late into his career.

Milner remains a firm favourite of Klopp and can always be relied upon to plug a gap when required.

He exceeded all expectations when deputising at right-back against Man City last weekend. His late intervention to deny Tomas Soucek on Wednesday evening ensured Liverpool weren’t made to settle for a draw with West Ham.

Liverpool have already refreshed their attacking ranks in recent times in the form of Diaz, Nunez, Diogo Jota and Fabio Carvalho.

If they believe Firmino’s recent resurgence isn’t a fluke, there is no reason why the Brazilian shouldn’t warrant something like a two-year extension. Salah’s latest contract signed earlier in 2022 added two years onto his existing deal.

What’s more, new boy Nunez is clearly a diamond in the rough at present. There are few better strikers to work alongside to help refine his game than Firmino.

READ MORE: Klopp told Liverpool transfer target will be eaten alive, with several worrying deficiencies laid bare