Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that contract talks with Roberto Firmino are underway with the Liverpool manager keen to retain his long-serving forward beyond next summer.
Firmino’s future at Anfield has become the subject of much speculation in recent weeks with the Brazil international out of contract at the end of the season and linked with a move elsewhere.
Moreover, the arrival on Merseyside of the Dutch forward Cody Gakpo has further added to the rumours over Firmino’s contract situation as the competition for Liverpool’s number nine intensifies with several high-profile faces in the fray.
Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah are the names who make up Liverpool’s front-line options besides the new signing Gakpo and Firmino will be keen to earn regular game time should he put pen to paper on an extension with the Reds.
When quizzed upon the veteran forward’s future, according to a report from The Echo, Jurgen Klopp admitted he was hopeful that Firmino will stay put with the club as Gakpo’s arrival is not tipped to have any impact over the former’s situition.
“No, not for me. We have talked to Bobby and from my point of view I want him to definitely stay. [Gakpo’s arrival has] no impact.”
“You would have to ask Bobby about that. But from my point of view, no.”
