Jurgen Klopp says he’s expecting Roberto Firmino to join full training for Liverpool tomorrow.
Firmino is quickly coming up on the end of his Liverpool career, with just two games to go until his departure on a free transfer. But having missed the last six games through injury, there has been worry that he’d have to miss his big Anfield farewell.
Nevertheless, the travelling Kop serenaded him relentlessly at the King Power Stadium last night. Following the game, Klopp was asked in his post-match press conference whether he’s expecting Bobby to be involved on Saturday. Thankfully, it looks like good news.
“I think so,” answered the Liverpool boss. “So, we drive home, tomorrow will be a day off – not for him but for the others – and then Wednesday team training he will be in, that’s my information. So, now we have to see because the Saturday game is a super-difficult game for plenty of reasons. Probably a farewell around the game for a few players and then playing for absolutely everything against [the] second or third-best team in the Premier League in the second part of the season. That’s super-challenging, so we have to see.
“In the middle of everything, we have to win the game, we have to go for it. But around that, we want to show really the respect and appreciation and the love we feel for not only Bobby but Bobby as well, all the boys who will leave in the summer. So, it will be a special day with a difficult game in between or around whatever. We have to make sure that we can do both.”
Firmino ready for Anfield farwell
So, here it is. Saturday is going to hit every single Liverpool supporter like a ton of bricks. If anyone was in doubt just how much our Bobby is loved at Anfield, then last night will have dispelled it.
It must have been a full ten minutes, maybe even more, that the pocket of Reds fans at the KP belted out the No.9’s song. He wasn’t even on the pitch, and yet it was Firmino’s name being chanted more than any other.
There was a lovely moment at the end of the game when the Brazilian ventured out onto the pitch to thank the fans. Pushed towards the stands by his teammates, Firmino looked visibly moved as he took in the applause.
It would be a great shame if he wasn’t able to witness Anfield for a final time this weekend. After missing a fair while, he isn’t going to be fully-fit either way. And as Jurgen says, Liverpool badly need the points against Aston Villa, there are no gimmees here.
But, really, if he’s even slightly fit, Firmino will surely get a run-out. After all he’s given this club, he deserves the chance to get his final Anfield reception as a Liverpool player, whatever his fitness level. Klopp will recognise that more than anyone.
Of course, as the boss alludes to though, the Villa game will also mark a goodbye for several other players. Like Firmino, James Milner will get a hero’s send-off. Meanwhile Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adrian will all be thanked for their service, too. But without doubt, Bobby will be the star of the show. Luckily, it looks like he won’t have to watch his big night from the stands.
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