Liverpool have been urged to reconsider letting Roberto Firmino leave the club at the end of the season on a free transfer.
The Brazilian joined the Reds back in 2015 from Hoffenheim and has won almost everything at club level in Merseyside. After 250 appearances, however, Firmino is set to leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of this term.
Jurgen Klopp has five other forwards at his disposal, in Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota – meaning that Firmino is in many ways surplus to requirements. Real Madrid have been touted as a destination for him.
Former Reds star Paul Ince, however, has questioned the logic of getting rid of Firmino – and stated that the Brazilian could be of more use to Liverpool than some of their current attackers.
"The reason that Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah were unplayable a couple of years ago was because of Firmino," Ince told BoyleSports.
"He used to pull centre halves out of position to allow Salah and Mane space to run into. As much as Liverpool have invested in very good players like Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, they don't do what Firmino does. If I was Liverpool, I'd be looking to keep hold of him."
Despite Ince's protestations, it seems as though Firmino is destined to leave Anfield after eight years' service, with the false nine featuring less and less this season for Klopp.
Liverpool bought Cody Gakpo in January, using the Dutchman in a similar fashion, to drop deep. It remains unlikely that the Reds will be in the market for another forward this summer.
Firmino is valued at €31 million by Transfermarkt.
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Liverpool's failed pursuit of Jude Bellingham has led to discussion over who is to blame, with This Is Anfield writing that the fault lies with both Jurgen Klopp and ownership FSG for FourFourTwo.
The Reds are looking at a number of possible alternatives, including Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella, Brighton midfielder Moises Caidedo and Chelsea fringe midfielder Conor Gallagher. Ex-Red Jose Enrique has questioned whether the Merseysiders even needed Bellingham, anyway.
Meanwhile, there could be significant outgoings from Anfield this summer. Mohamed Salah has apparently enquired about a move to Spain, Jurgen Klopp is a target for Real Madrid if Carlo Ancelotti departs and Roberto Firmino has reportedly agreed a deal with Los Blancos when his Liverpool contract expires.
