Roberto Firmino’s future at Liverpool is likely to be finally settled before the end of February.
Firmino’s contract is due to expire in just a few months. As things stand, the Brazilian is set to end an eight-year stay at Anfield this summer.
Talks over an extension have reportedly been ongoing, though. And now speaking to Sky Sports Germany, his agent Roger Wittman has suggested that an agreement is nearing. One way or another, a decision sounds likely to be reached in the coming weeks.
“It’s a very long relationship between Roberto and Liverpool. Roberto feels comfortable. At the moment we are in a great exchange and in February we will probably know where the journey is going,” he said.
“But Roberto also has to have a say himself in order to find an agreement with Liverpool. We are on the right track. We have really good talks with Liverpool. This is an outstanding club.”
That all sounds overwhelmingly positive. Until Bobby’s name is signed on the dotted line though, no chickens should be counted.
No downside to Firmino extension
An extension for Firmino right now would likely be greeted with derision from a portion of the fan base. Failure to sign enough new blood in January backed-up by tying down an aging force who’s perhaps past his best.
But Bobby is far from finished. The 31-year-old has shown that when he’s been fit this season. There is still a great deal of benefit to be had from keeping him around the squad.
At the very least he offers continuity in a time of great change for the club. But that would be to reduce his role on the pitch. Only injuries have stopped him playing a greater part over the last 18 months. On performance and ability alone, he’s still very important to Jurgen Klopp.
Plus, Liverpool have brough in extra attacking firepower with Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz. If Firmino has to take a slightly reduced role as he progresses deeper into his thirties, then so be it. Of course, this should also be reflected in a reduction on his £180k-a-week wage. If Bobby agrees to that, what’s the downside?
It isn’t as though Klopp would be asking him to go again game after game. When everyone is fit, Liverpool have more than enough to mean they’re not overly reliant on the Brazilian.
More than all of that though, Bobby is simply a Liverpool legend. It would be desperately sad to lose him on the back of Sadio Mane’s exit last summer. He’s done enough for the club to earn a deal to take him towards the end of his career. That might sound sentimental, and the kind of thinking that has led to trouble at Anfield this season. But while Bobby is still performing, he’s always worth keeping around. Sign it, Bob!