Jurgen Klopp admits he was ‘SURPRISED’ by Roberto Firmino’s decision to leave Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp was shocked by Roberto Firmino’s decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, the Reds’ head coach revealed on Friday.

Firmino, who has lifted the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and League Cup during a glorious eight-year spell at Anfield, ended his Liverpool career last week looking of a new challenge elsewhere.

After confirming his plan to leave the club, the Brazilian treated Reds fans to a seventh goal against bitter rivals Manchester United last weekend, as Klopp’s side crushed the Carabao Cup 7 winners. -0 at Anfield.

Firmino, who has given so much to the club over the years, received a spectacular reception as he walked away to celebrate, showing just how appreciated he is among the fans despite having slipped down the pecking order at Liverpool in recent seasons.

Klopp confirmed that the striker approached him last week with the news and admitted he was a bit surprised by his decision.

Firmino has been integral to Klopp’s success at Liverpool during his eight-year spell at Anfield.

‘Surprised? Yes, a little’, Klopp confessed during the press conference on Friday prior to Liverpool’s trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.

‘I wasn’t “hit” by surprise, but it could have been one of two ways. And (he has chosen) this one. I respect that a lot and it is completely normal in this long relationship that we have and that Bobby has with the club and the players.

Thanks to their proactivity on the transfer market this season, Liverpool will continue to have plenty of attacking options after Firmino’s departure, with the summer acquisition of Darwin Núñez and the January signing of Cody Gakpo joining strikers Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota in Klopp’s talented forward.

Although Gakpo, Núñez and Salah scored braces against the Red Devils last weekend, Klopp admitted the Brazilian’s goal felt particularly “special”.

His focus now is to close Firmino’s Liverpool career on a positive note, as the Reds bid for fourth place in hopes of qualifying for the Champions League once more next season.

The Brazilian striker received an incredible reception from Reds fans after scoring Liverpool’s seventh goal against Manchester United, who were beaten 7-0 at Anfield last weekend.

Klopp’s side head to Bournemouth on Saturday and could temporarily take fourth place from Tottenham with a win ahead of Spurs’ clash with Nottingham Forest later that afternoon.

I loved the reception he got against United. It was quite special,” Klopp added.

“He told me (that he wanted to leave) and now I want to bring this wonderful story to a positive ending, so he’s still fully committed, as you can imagine. And that’s all we need to know.

‘There’s no time for a goodbye right now. We’ll have plenty of time for that later in the season. Whenever I come back, the song will stay for a long, long time.

“I think he’s one of those players where, even if he comes back with an opposing team, people would be very happy to see him.”