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Liverpool's Roberto Firmino 'offers himself to Barcelona'

Roberto Firmino 'offers himself to Barcelona'
© Reuters
Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino reportedly offers himself to Barcelona ahead of his departure from Anfield at the end of the season.

Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino has reportedly offered his services to Barcelona ahead of his departure from Anfield.

The 31-year-old is confirmed to be leaving Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, bringing an emotional end to a trophy-laden eight years on Merseyside.

Firmino has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield over the past couple of years, though, with injuries and new signings forcing him to accept a bit-part role in the 2022-23 campaign.

The attacker's recent struggles saw him miss out on a place in the Brazil squad for the 2022 World Cup, but he is not expected to be short of offers when his time at Liverpool is up.

As well as anticipated offers from Saudi Arabia, Firmino has reportedly attracted the interest of as many as three Serie A clubs, as well as Atletico Madrid, who could lose Joao Felix to Chelsea permanently this summer.

Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring for Liverpool in November 2022© Reuters

Despite previous claims that Firmino would not consider his next career move until the end of the season, Onefootball - via Sport - reports that the South American has already offered himself to Barcelona.

The Catalans could be facing an exodus of attacking players in the summer, with both Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres's futures being called into question amid their recent lack of starts.

Raphinha is also being linked with an immediate exit despite only arriving from Leeds United last summer, while Ousmane Dembele's contract only runs until the end of next season.

Barcelona would likely welcome the chance to sign another experienced striker on a free transfer given their ongoing financial concerns, as Xavi seeks further cover and competition for Robert Lewandowski.

Firmino was signed for Liverpool by Brendan Rodgers in 2015, and the ex-Hoffenheim man has since posted 108 goals and 79 assists in 354 matches for the Reds in all tournaments.

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino scores their seventh goal past Manchester United's David de Gea on March 5, 2023© Reuters

Despite his recent struggles with injuries, the striker has 10 goals and five assists to show from 27 matches this season, and he has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield under Jurgen Klopp.

The Liverpool boss admitted in Friday's press conference that he was "a little bit" surprised by Firmino's decision to leave, but he believes that the forward will be warmly welcomed back in the colours of any team.

"Yes, he told me. Surprised? Yes, a little bit but I was not hit by surprise, actually it's a normal thing to do. It could go two ways and it was one. And I respect that a lot. It's completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club and with most of the players and stuff like this, and with the fans of course," Klopp said.

"There's no time for a goodbye or whatever in this moment, there's enough time for that later in the season. Whenever he will come back, everybody knows that the song will still be for a long, long time in everybody's ears I'm pretty sure."

Firmino is in line to make his 355th appearance for Liverpool when they tackle Bournemouth in Saturday lunchtime's Premier League battle.

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