Alisson and Fabinho break silence on Roberto Firmino ahead of Liverpool exit
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino is set to leave the club after eight years and now two of his closest teammates have announced his imminent departure.
Liverpool’s Brazilian trio Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Alisson have all been at the club for almost five years and have won all sorts of trophies during that time.
The Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Carabao Cup have all been won with the club’s Brazilian contingent.
However, only two of them are expected to stay this summer, with Firmino set to leave after eight years at Anfield.
Firmino, now 31 and looking for a new challenge, has revealed he has every intention of leaving Liverpool. Now Fabinho and Alisson have spoken for the first time about the ever-smiling Brazilian’s impending departure.
“Bobby is a very good friend of ours and someone who is hugely important to this team. I would really like him to be able to stay,” Alisson said, speaking to Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor .
“He’s a really nice guy and everyone at the club likes him,” added Fabinho.
“He was really important to me and also to Al [Alisson] when we both got here. He was one of the most important people at the club.”
Liverpool.com says: It will be an emotional day for all involved as Firmino plays his last game for the club which arrives sooner rather than later. Firmino was one of the mainstays of the Klopp era and his presence at the club no doubt helped Alisson and Fabinho settle in when they arrived in 2018.
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Mohamed Salah awaits Erling Haaland with the perfect reply as Liverpool’s record is on the line
Erling Haaland is close to breaking Mohamed Salah’s record for most goals scored in a single Premier League season, but the Liverpool talisman is making a comeback.
Over the next week, Mohamed Salah could lose one of his most important records in English football. In his debut season for Liverpool in 2017-18, the Egyptian forward scored a remarkable 32 Premier League goals, becoming the first player to do so since the competition was changed to consist of 38 games instead of 42 in 1995/96. .
The Reds’ talisman has held the record ever since, but this season one Erling Haaland looks all but sure to set a new standard at the top. The Manchester City forward matched Salah’s special number of 32 last weekend, with eight games to go. The Norway international could end up with some 40 goals to his name, which is unprecedented on English shores. Salah won’t be happy about losing his record if the inevitability does materialize in the coming weeks, but he could have a platform again next season.
Over the course of his Liverpool career, Salah tends to average around 3.8 shots per 90, which is a healthy number when compared to his peers. This season he is posting his lowest average for a single season at Anfield at around 3.2 per 90, much of that being down to his team’s continued struggle.
Now ranked eighth in the Premier League – having also exited every cup competition on the calendar – the Reds have struggled on the pitch over the past 12 months. It was crucial for Jürgen Klopp to improve his tired and exhausted midfield last summer, but the German only realized his precious oversight when it was too late.
Since then, Liverpool have struggled to control matches due to their tired engine room, leading to Salah nearly losing his platform to pose a threat in the final third. The 30-year-old is dependent on the system around him and for the most part Klopp’s 4-3-3 favorite has let him down.
Over the course of his career at Liverpool, Salah tends to average around 3.8 of 90 shots which is a healthy number compared to his peers. This season he is recording his lowest average for a single season at Anfield at around 3.2 out of 90, largely due to his side’s continued struggle. Now eighth in the Premier League table – having also left all cup competitions on the calendar – the Reds have struggled on the pitch over the past 12 months. It was imperative for Jürgen Klopp to revamp his tired and worn-out midfield department last summer, but the German only realized his costly oversight when it was too late.
Since then, Liverpool have struggled to control games due to their jaded engine room, which saw Salah nearly lose his platform to pose a threat in the final third. The 30-year-old relies on the system around him and Klopp’s favorite 4-3-3 has largely failed him.
The Anfield side need to improve over the summer and if their last two appearances are any indication of what’s to come on Merseyside next year, Salah could have enough firepower to challenge Haaland at the peak next season. Klopp made the decision to introduce a new tactical idea earlier this month. Not much changed on the defensive side of the game as the 4-3-3 remained intact, but with the ball the Reds formed a new 3-2-5 form.
Trent Alexander-Arnold initiated the move when he was ordered to drift from his usual right-back spot into central midfield to play alongside Fabinho, while left-back Andy Robertson moved on. moved inside to create a back three alongside Virgil van Dijk and form Ibrahima Konate. .
In the two games Liverpool have played in their new form against Arsenal and Leeds United, they have scored eight goals, with Salah scoring 12 and scoring three. His re-engagement is no coincidence as it is due to the dynamics of the 3-2-5 formation. Following Alexander-Arnold’s entry from the right, the lanes towards Salah were regularly cleared as he is often left alone on his right flank, free to engage in one-on-one duels with his immediate opponents.
He has nine shots alone against Arsenal, the most he has amassed in a single Premier League game in his illustrious career. He has also posted his two highest touch ball totals in his last two appearances this season, with his teammates simply finding him more often than ever.
If the 3-2-5 formation becomes Klopp’s new option for next season and beyond, Salah could continue to benefit from his new level of involvement. Haaland is set to reclaim his Premier League crown, but the Liverpool star could be back in the running sooner rather than later