Roberto Firmino has given Liverpool a huge boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final by agreeing a new five-year deal.
Liverpool shared a video of Firmino putting pen to paper at Melwood, with the 26-year-old looking away from the contract as he signed it, a reflection of his no-look moves from the pitch.
The Brazil international has become one of the most important figures in Liverpool’s squad and has contributed 27 goals so far this season. He is a player in whom Jurgen Klopp places a huge importance to make his team function.
‘The club have taken me in in an incredible way and I’ve grown a lot here with my work, with the support of the whole team,’ Firmino said after extending his stay on Merseyside.
‘I am very, very happy here. We all know how big Liverpool football club is. It is a club with a lot tradition, so I hope to continue with the whole team going forward, dreaming aloud and aiming very high. Hopefully we will be able to win titles, that’s the most important thing for us.
‘I love the fans. Every time I go into the city centre and see the fans, they always greet me and I feel very well here in the city. The fans are fantastic to me.
‘I love to play for Liverpool FC. The fans are excellent and fantastic in how they support us all the way. They support us throughout the games and the work they do during the match is beautiful.’
Firmino joined Liverpool in June 2015 for £29million from Hoffenheim and would have had two years left on a deal that was worth in the region of a basic £80,000 per week but was also heavily incentivized.
But Liverpool have been in discussions with Firmino’s advisers since last Christmas and he will have now joined Anfield’s highest earners, given how crucial a role he performs.
Liverpool’s ambition is to keep the nucleus of their squad together and Firmino has given huge credit to Klopp for accelerating his development on Merseyside.
‘The manager helped me a lot after he arrived here,’ said Firmino. ‘The manager coming to the football club was not only good for me, but for the whole team. We’ve grown a lot and now we are showing that with the results on the pitch.’
Firmino has created a piece of history this season, his 11 goals – the same as Mohamed Salah – is the most a Liverpool player has scored in a single European campaign.
He will have a huge role to play if Liverpool are going to maintain their three-goal advantage when they travel to Rome on Tuesday, for the second leg of their clash with the Serie A side.
