When the 2022-23 season ends, we’ll be able to say “and then there was only one” in reference to the legendary Liverpool line of the 2020s. Roberto Firmino, according to a report in Sky Sports, is set to depart Anfield once his contract expires at the end of this season.
With Sadio Mane having departed for Bayern Munich last summer, and Firmino now set to walk on a free, it will leave Mohamed Salah as the only remaining member of the all-world front three that helped not only end Liverpool’s infamous title drought, but also bring another Champions League title to the Merseyside club.
Manchester United at Liverpool FYIs
Kickoff: Sun March 5, Anfield, 4:30pm
Team News: Man United Liverpool
Starting XI Predictions: Man United Liverpool
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Xherdan Shaqiri’s ideas about how to fix Liverpool: go here
Google Result Probability: Liverpool win 40% Draw 26% Man United win 34%
PL Form: Man United WWDWL Liverpool WDWWL
PL Standing: Man United 3rd, 39 pts Liverpool 6th, 39 pts
Soon gone, but obviously never forgotten.
According to Sky Germany: “The 31-year-old striker has decided not to renew his expiring contract and will part ways with the club in summer after eight successful years.” While this is huge news, on the eve of The Biggest Game in English Football/Northwest England Derby, it is not surprising. Liverpool have been putting big money into revamping their attack for years now. First it was Diogo Jota.
Then the club record signing for Darwin Nunez, from Benfica, this past summer. Then, in January came the addition of striker Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven.
The writing has been on the wall for Firmino, for awhile now. But that doesn’t take away all that Firmino achieved, him and the rest of his linemates, over low those many years.
The Brazilian provided numerous exciting moments, and he achieved a collection of winners medals, at Liverpool that was as elite it gets.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.