FSG and Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has praised Roberto Firmino as he prepares to call time on his Reds career.
Firmino will leave Liverpool after eight glorious years once the season comes to a close. And with his final home game set to take place this Saturday, tributes to the brilliant Brazilian are already pouring in. The Athletic run a lovely piece this morning, containing words of adulation from those who know him well.
Everyone from assistant manager Pep Lijnders to the dentist who gave Bobby his famous white teeth has their say. But perhaps most intriguing of all are the comments from Werner, who doesn’t often speak publicly on football matters.
“In reflecting on Bobby and his impact at Liverpool, there are obviously countless goals, assists, and the off-the-ball work that showcased his world class football talents,” began the American. “But when I think of Bobby and his eight years with the club, I will most remember his smile – an infectious grin as wide as the Mersey and as bright as a sun-soaked day at Anfield.
“His play on the pitch was so imaginative. He delivered more than 100 goals, and his leadership was unquestionably selfless. But he delighted us most with a smile that will forever be in a class of its own.”
Bobby set for final bow
There has rarely been a player as universally loved at Liverpool as Firmino. You could argue that better players have walked the Anfield halls, but in terms of bringing sheer joy to teammates, coaches and fans alike, few can match Bobby.
And Werner is right, that feeling will live on far longer than any statistics about goals and assists.
That doesn’t mean that Firmino’s numbers aren’t impressive, though. To get more than 100 goals for a club like Liverpool is impressive, no matter who you are. But it was always in the intangibles that you can’t really measure where the 31-year-old won out.
As plenty will say over the coming weeks, he’s the man who made Liverpool tick. Firmino’s work on and off the ball is what gave Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane license to become two of the best and most prolific forwards the club has ever seen.
Hs influence may have lessened over the last couple of years, but the importance of what he did between 2015 and 2020 in particular never will.
So, this one really is going to sting. Anfield will be treated to Bobby’s trademark smile just one more time. Thankfully, it looks set to be a playing appearance, as our No.9 was spotted taking part in team training for the first time in a while yesterday.
If he can cap it off with a goal, a few karate kicks and perhaps a couple of no-look details here and there, that would be perfect.
As Werner says, Bobby is truly in a class of his own. We may only have 10 days left to enjoy him, but really, he’ll always be ours.
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