Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino was subject to lavish praise from boss Jurgen Klopp amid the uncertainty surrounding the Brazilian’s future at Anfield.
Firmino has been subject to serious interest from Juventus as of late with the Serie A heavyweights keen on moving in for the 30-year-old striker who endured a difficult campaign in the Reds shirt last term.
Jurgen Klopp, however, appears have to played down the talk of Firmino being close to the exit door with the Liverpool head coach in no doubt, while speaking to the club’s official website, that the Brazil international will play an important role for his side in the coming season.
“Bobby is crucial for us.
“Bobby is [the] heart and soul of this team.
“The way we played in the last few years was only possible because of Bobby. That’s why I’m really happy he could train the majority of the time here in the pre-season so far and everything looks really good.
“I am absolutely fine and, for me, there’s no doubt about his quality. All the rest, we will see how this year goes, but yes, he is essential for us.”
Juventus were rumoured to be close to making an official approach for the Liverpool man who had fallen down the pecking order following Klopp’s capture of Benfica dangerman Darwin Nunez in a club-record transfer earlier in the summer.
Sadio Mane’s departure to join German champions Bayern Munich could have convinced Klopp to retain his long-serving attacking mainstay in Firmino with the new season close to getting underway.
