"They don’t want to be caught short" - Jamie Carragher explains why Liverpool could opt to keep 30-year-old this summer
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged his former club to keep Roberto Firmino, amid reports that the 30-year-old is attracting interest from other clubs.
TuttoJuve has claimed that Juventus have made an €23 million offer for the Brazilian forward, who only has one year left on his current deal at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp: "For people with football knowledge, I'm pretty sure they'll write books about the way Bobby interpreted the false-nine position." 📖🇧🇷
Liverpool have Salah, Diaz, Jota & now Nunez. But never forget their most underrated hero, Roberto Firmino 🙌 https://t.co/CPbVXv4o87
With the Reds having already sold Sadio Mane this summer, Carragher has advised against selling another of their experienced attackers, as the retired England defender told The Football Daily (as quoted by HITC Sport):
“I don’t think it’s a risk losing him for nothing. I have felt for a couple of years now that Firmino would see this contract out and move on for nothing. I think getting £19 million or keeping Firmino next season, I would probably keep him. The situation Liverpool find themselves in. They don’t want to be caught short."
He added:
"I think Firmino will have a big role. Listen, Nunez might take time to settle and he is playing in the Premier League. And that’s not just about his ability, it’s about coming to a different league."
He further said:
“So, I think Firmino could be really important this season and I think he might actually start the first few games of the season and I can imagine Nunez coming off the bench. I am not quite sure about the Juventus links."
Carragher also noted:
"Obviously, we have spent a lot of money on a striker and Juventus play a 4-3-3, if I am not mistaken, so I couldn’t see Firmino playing wide or going there to be an understudy. The links, maybe true, I don’t know, but I would keep him.”
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Roberto Firmino breaks silence on his Liverpool future
Following the recent arrivals of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, Firmino has dropped down the pecking order. He played only35 games last term.
However, following the Reds' Community Shield victory over Manchester City on Saturday, the Brazilian international revealed that he wants to stay at the Merseyside club this season.
Firmino told TNT Sports Brasil (as quoted by TalkSPORT):
“I love this team, this city and the fans. I’m here. I want to stay, of course.”
Jurgen Klopp's decision to start Firmino ahead of Darwin Nunez in the Community Shield was a clear indicator that the German boss still has plenty of faith in the Brazilian.
Roberto Firmino confirms he has no intention to leave: “I love this team, city and fans. I'm here at Liverpool and I want to stay”, tells TNT Brazil. 🔴🇧🇷 #LFC
Juventus have never opened talks to sign Firmino, not even discussed by agents or clubs despite rumours. https://t.co/X2ZDYysXLY
Liverpool won that game 3-1 against Manchester City.