Jurgen Klopp is ready to dismantle Liverpool's long-serving attack by selling Roberto Firmino in the summer transfer window amid interest from Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.
Firmino, 30, has been a vital player for the Reds since his £29million arrival from Hoffenheim in 2015, contributing 167 goals or assists in 310 appearances.
Lining up alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, the Brazilian formed one of Europe's deadliest forward trios to fire Liverpool to Champions League and Premier League glory.
But Firmino's role has diminished this season due to multiple muscle injuries and the emergence of Diogo Jota as competition for the centre-forward berth.
This has limited him to just eight starts and seven goals in all competitions, whereas Jota, 25, has made 21 starts and scored 12 goals.
Would it be a mistake for Liverpool to sell Roberto Firmino at the end of the season? Have your say in the comments.
Firmino has less than 18 months remaining on his contract at Anfield and El Nacional claims Liverpool are prepared to let him depart in the summer window.
The report adds Klopp would consider bids in the region of €20million (£16.5m) as he feels Jota, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi provide him with ample options up front.
Barca are said to be scouring the transfer market for a new striker after Sergio Aguero was forced to retire just months after joining on a free transfer from Manchester City.
Liverpool are undoubtedly approaching a time when they will need to rejuvenate their ageing attack as Salah and Mane, like Firmino, are also out of contract in the summer of 2023.
That being said, the report from Catalonia must be taken with a pinch of salt given the high regard Klopp holds Firmino in.
The German declared it is a "joy to work together with him" after he scored a hat-trick against Watford in October.
"He’s a very important player for us, he’s a connector. He’s the best offensive defender I ever saw in my life, definitely, Klopp said of Firmino.
"He’s a ball chaser, he’s incredibly smart with all the things he’s doing, technically on the highest level and is able to play in the smallest spaces.
"[He] Can make incredibly good decisions in a really short [space of] time and on top of that scores goals as well."
As Salah and Mane are representing Egypt and Senegal respectively at this month's Africa Cup of Nations, the onus is on Firmino as well as Jota to keep the Liverpool attack ticking over.
The 2019 Copa America winner grabbed his fourth assist of the season by setting up Minamino in Sunday's convincing victory over Brentford.
