Cristiano Ronaldo sent Liverpool transfer message as Jürgen Klopp to unleash own Marcus Rashford

Liverpool will part ways with Roberto Firmino at the end of the season, but the Reds look set to be well-stocked for the future after intelligent signings

Liverpool fans will be forgiven for feeling a little down after reports that Roberto Firmino is on the verge of leaving the club at the end of the season, ending his storied eight years at the club.

There is no doubt that Firmino leaves an enviable legacy at Liverpool where he has won every major honor in club play during his time at Merseyside. The Brazilian came to master the ‘False Nine’ role in the Liverpool striker that made him indispensable during that time – representing Klopp more than any other player in the German’s reign.

However, it seems the Reds have been intelligent in ensuring that the team is future-proofed with the arrival of Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo, showing that Liverpool are preparing for another era under Jurgen Klopp. Firmino, 31, will leave Anfield on a free transfer at the end of the season after informing the club of his intentions to take up a new challenge. The popular Brazilian will be missed at Anfield, but his place in Liverpool history is certain. Here are three Liverpool.com stories you can’t miss.

Firmino justified Michael Edwards’ transfer bet

For a player so closely associated with Klopp, it’s easy to forget that Firmino was signed during the reign of Brendan Rodgers. Bought in the same transfer window as Christian Benteke, the impact the Brazilian would have at Anfield probably could not have been predicted, having previously played for Hoffenheim as an attacking midfielder.

Indeed, it was Michael Edwards who saw the potential in the player and made the decision to bring him to Merseyside for $37m (£29m / €34m) after being impressed with his characteristics after using a recruitment tool from the outgoing research director. Ian Graham. One of the main qualities that Edwards pointed out about Firmino was his adaptability when it came to playing different offensive roles.

Rodgers would leave Liverpool before the turn of the year to be replaced by Klopp and you could say the rest is history when it comes to the German’s relationship with Firmino. Affectionately dubbed ‘Bobby’ by the Kop, the Brazilian would become one of Klopp’s key players, playing the central role in a famous front-three alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Cristiano Ronaldo transfer notice

Cristiano Ronaldo sent a transfer notice to Sadio Mane over the summer, as the Senegal striker left Liverpool to sign for Bayern Munich with 12 months left on his contract.

Ronaldo was impressed with the move and the Portuguese striker has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich when he left Manchester United, with Mane revealing the pair spoke while in Mallorca. Mané returned to action after a three-month injury lay-off last weekend when he came off the bench against Union Berlin. Bayern heads to Stuttgart this Saturday when Mané will hope to feature again.

Liverpool has own Marcus Rashford about to be unleashed

As Liverpool set to face Manchester United this weekend, it is likely to be a game which will be decided by either side’s forwards. Marcus Rashford is currently in the form of his life and has netted an incredible 17 times since the World Cup, scoring 25 goals in total this season.

The England international has not been without his critics down the years, with his form this season in complete contrast to last term where he scored only four times in the Premier League. His weekend opponent Núñez is likely to sympathize with Rashford having come under fire himself this season, but perhaps he can learn from the striker’s resurgence.

There’s no doubt that the Uruguayan has grown over the course of this season and it’s worth noting that the two players aren’t too far apart in the league this season in terms of average 90-minute goal contributions. The fact that Rashford has an average of 0.78 and Núñez has an average of 0.72 goals for Liverpool’s 90-minute average goal contributions will be encouraging for the Liverpool striker.