Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - December 26, 2022 Everton's James Tarkowski in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diego Costa REUTERS/Phil Noble
‘Jurgen Klopp’s decision was final straw and I knew I had to quit Liverpool’
Roberto Firmino spent eight years at Liverpool, winning many major honours under Jurgen Klopp, but he left the club in June 2023 and has now detailed the reasons why
Roberto Firmino has revealed that it was a late substitution against Wolves that convinced him to depart Liverpool.
The skillful striker wrapped up his successful stint at Anfield in June 2023, registering 111 goals and providing 75 assists over 392 matches. During this period, he amassed an impressive collection of titles with the Reds, including the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup.
Taking his talents to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ahli, Brazilian ace Firmino unveiled in his autobiography ‘Si Senor: My Liverpool Years’ the pivotal moments leading up to his exit from the Merseyside club.
On his 33rd birthday, Firmino shared: “The straw that broke the camel’s back was a match against Wolves, in which I came on as a substitute in the last minute. That was it. Right there, I understood.
“As we say in Brazil, the penny dropped. I knew now. I called my agents. Roger Wittmann and Christian Rapp met with me for a face-to-face talk. We left the living room and went to my room: just me, Christian, Roger, and Larissa, no distractions. Christian and Roger were perfectly transparent about everything that was happening and the club’s view of my future.
“It wasn’t a war. It was just a difference in understanding about what I could offer to Liverpool. I reflected a lot and realized that God’s plan was to take me somewhere else. The signs were all there since that conversation with Pastor Daniel in Maceio. I had been stubborn.
