By Wayne Veysey

3rd Nov, 2022 | 4:03pm

Sources: Liverpool to open Roberto Firmino talks after green light

Liverpool are preparing to open talks on a new contract for re-born Roberto Firmino, sources have told Football Insider.

The Brazilian’s long-term future at the club is in doubt with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2023, months short of his 32nd birthday.

But Liverpool are keen to offer an extension to Firmino and hope to begin talks during the upcoming mid-season break.

Manager Jurgen Klopp remains a huge admirer of the Brazil international and believes he still has a big role to play in the coming seasons.

Firmino may have to take a pay cut to stay, however, as owners Fenway Sports Group are unlikely to sanction an extension of his current deal, worth around £180,000-a-week.

The 55-times Brazil international has been a regular starter again this season after starting just 10 Premier League matches last term.

He has already started nine Premier League games in this campaign as well as four of Liverpool’s six Champions League fixtures.

His 18 matches in all competitions have yielded eight goals and four assists, and he has demonstrated his enduring versatility by operating not only in a number nine role but also at the front of a midfield diamond in a 4-4-2 that has sometimes been used by Klopp.

Firmino has been a virtual untouchable for most of the German’s reign and his arrival in the summer of 2015 from Hoffenehim pre-dated that of the manager.

He lost his regular starting role last season as Diogo Jota emerged as the number one spearhead at Anfield, while Sadio Mane was also used with great success down the middle in the second half of last season before he quit for Bayern Munich.

Firmino has now played 345 matches for Liverpool, scoring 106 times and supplying 78 assists.

In other news, Nunez cited as ‘big’ Liverpool signing claim issued ahead of January.