Stephen Warnock says Arsenal fans will be ‘delighted’ that Roberto Firmino will be leaving Liverpool when his contract expires in the summer.
The 31-year-old scored his 11th goal against Arsenal on Sunday as Mikel Arteta’s side secured a drama-filled 2-2 draw at Liverpool.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Arsenal were clinging on for dear life as the Reds did everything they could to try and force the ball into the back of the net.
That’s when Jurgen Klopp introduced Roberto Firmino into the action, as he replaced the more defensive-minded, Fabinho in what was an attacking change.
And, in next to no time, after some fine work from Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right flank, he dinked a lovely ball into the danger area for Firmino to head home – that’s 11 goals and three assists for Firmino against the Gunners in 18 games (transfarmarkt).
Come next season, Arsenal fans won’t have to worry about the Brazil international causing them issues because he will no longer be on Merseyside, with Warnock praising the impact he has had, as he told The Football Show on Sky Sports (10/04/23).
“Arsenal fans will be delighted to see Firmino go,” chuckled Warnock. “He (Gakpo) isn’t at that level (of Firmino’s) yet. Nowhere near it.
“There is potential there with Gakpo. But what you see with Firmino is just that intelligence. That intelligence to find space, but also, it sounds really daft, but find space in tight areas.
“He always knows how to get half a yard, just to see a vision. A little pass around the corner. Or knowing that he can get turned. He makes it very difficult for defenders and midfielders to know who wants to pick him up.
“He changed the way Liverpool played when he came into the team. He allowed Mane and Salah, when we had the formidable front three, for them two players to drift off the line and come inside to be so prolific over the years.”
FIRMINO A LIVERPOOL LEGEND
Brendan Rodgers was in the Anfield dugout when Liverpool paid Hoffenheim £29 million (BBC Sport) for the quick-thinking forward.
It wasn’t until Klopp arrived that Firmimo would transform his game and those around him, including winning the Champions League and the Premier League title.
That front three of Sadio Mane, Firmino and Mohamed Salah was too hot to handle for many, but come next season, only the Egyptian king will be the last man standing.
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