Roberto Firmino may be set for Liverpool axe after ‘world-class’ reveal – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested Roberto Firmino will not be a regular starter at Liverpool next season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender said Jurgen Klopp will want to keep him at Anfield for his experience.
Klopp told Sky Sports (11 July) that the 30-year-old “is back, 100 per cent” as their pre-season campaign gets underway.
The Reds manager also insisted the Brazilian is a “world-class player”.
Firmino signed for Liverpool in 2015 from TSG Hoffenheim and signed an extension in 2018.
His current contract expires next year.
When asked if he thought the forward could challenge for starts next season, Hutton told Football Insider correspondent Charlotte Cohen: “I can’t see it.
“For as good as he’s been for the club, and probably still is, I think when you look at that attacking line and the players they’ve brought in, I think it’s going to be really difficult.
“Of course he’ll play his part, whether it be from the bench or whatever, but I don’t see him nailing down a regular spot within the team with the options that they have.
“So it’s going to be really difficult for him. Jurgen Klopp would probably like to keep him around for his experience but it’s difficult to keep players like that happy.
“They want to play football so I see it moving forward that he’s going to struggle to get in the team.“
In other news, an ex-Fifa official has lambasted Everton star after new twist in Jurgen Klopp row.