Jason McAteer wants FSG to hand Roberto Firmino a new deal at Liverpool because he is ‘different class’ under Jurgen Klopp.
The 31-year-old, who is currently in the treatment room, is out-of-contract at Liverpool in the summer and McAteer wants him signed up.
This season alone, Firmino has produced one of his best campaigns in a while, scoring seven goals and supplying three assists from his 13 Premier League games.
Whilst the Reds have added Cody Gakpo to their ranks this month – he made his debut in the FA Cup against Wolves – someone like Firmino can still prove to be valuable.
It’s probably a case of Firmino proving to be more valuable when he’s not playing because that’s when it’s obvious what he provides.
Nonetheless, McAteer wants Firmino to stay, even if the Brazil star, who was left out of the 2022 winter World Cup in Qatar, will have to play a bit-part role, as he told beIN SPORTS (07/01/23 at 10:05 pm).
“I think in the forward area, we have enough,” said McAteer. “We have Jota coming back. Diaz coming back. You have Gakpo who has just come in.
“Then there is Nunez and Salah. That area is okay. Firmino is still at the football club. I would give him a new deal, knowing he would only play a bit-part.
“We are a different animal without Firmino. He has been different class this season. Scoring a lot of goals. He changes the complexity of the way we play.”
FIRMINO ONE OF LIVERPOOL’S BEST PURCHASES
Whilst the likes of Sadio Mane and Mo Salah stole the goals limelight when all three played together on Merseyside.
Someone like Firmino played a very underrated role in the club’s success. From Champions League glory to the Premier League title.
Not only that, his ability to drop into pockets, work the ball in tight spaces, find spaces for others and have the vision to play outstanding killer balls allowed the likes of Mane and Salah to click so much.
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