ROBERTO FIRMINO has revealed the moment he realised he had to leave Liverpool.
The Brazilian, 33, played for the Reds for eight years between 2015 and 2023.
During his Anfield stint he played a key role within Jurgen Klopp’s front three alongside Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.
Firmino helped Liverpool win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup before leaving for Saudi Arabia.
During his last few seasons on Merseyside, the forward became less of a regular feature within Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI.
In his book, entitled Si Senor: My Liverpool Years, Firmino detailed exactly when he decided that he had to leave his beloved Anfield.
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He wrote: “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.
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“It wasn’t a war. It was just a difference in understanding about what I could offer to Liverpool. I reflected a lot and realised 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.
“God didn’t want me to stay in Liverpool, but I was insisting. I didn’t listen. But I couldn’t avoid it any more. It was time to accept.
“I decided it was time to seek another challenge for myself, another purpose. My time at Liverpool had come to an end.”
The match Firmino referenced was a 2-0 win over Wolves at Anfield in March 2023.
Virgil van Dijk broke the deadlock with a header on 73 minutes, before Mo Salah quickly made it two.
That night, with Mane having left the previous summer, Klopp started a front three featuring Salah, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez.
Klopp decided against bringing Firmino on as his side chased the opening goal, and even after going 1-0 up opted to bring on Cody Gakpo first.
Firmino finally came on in the 89th minute, replacing Nunez for the closing stages.
He would then come on for an 11-minute cameo the following week, grabbing a goal and an assist in the 7-0 rout of Manchester United.
The Anfield icon went on to start just two more games for the Reds.
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That summer he departed for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli on a free transfer after 111 goals in 362 games for Liverpool.
Since moving to the Middle East he has netted 12 times in 43 games, with his team finishing third last term.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
