Jurgen Klopp had some special words for Robert Firmino after the Brazilian forward waved goodbye to Anfield on the weekend.
The Brazilian star signed for Liverpool from Hoffenheim back in 2015 for then manager Brendan Rodgers, for a fee of £29 million. And the money has proved well spent, with Firmino contributing to a Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and World Club Cup win during his eight seasons in England.
And he signed off in style on his final home game, scoring a late equaliser to help his side secure a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. Although the result all but ended Liverpool's top four hopes, the 31-year-old was afforded a standing ovation afterwards as he struggled to hold back tears.
A further marker of the esteem in which Firmino is held at the club then came on Sunday evening, when players, coaches, and staff members held a farewell party in his honour. Decked out in a smart suit with a red lapel, the star delivered his own speech and was also praised by Klopp when the manager took to the stage with the microphone.
"You are so football smart, in training sessions you are the first to get [understand] the exercise. It's like you saw it once: 'Ah, okay, go for it'," he told him, with his words greeted by a beaming smile by Firmino. "It's really special and it makes you the player you are, with all the technical stuff, but your football brain is incredible. That's all good and makes you the player you are."
It's not the first time the German boss has heaped praise on the footballing intelligence of the star, who was an iconic part of Liverpool's forward trio when they captured the 2019/20 Premier League title, previously saying: "Mo Salah, world class, but not every day. Sadio Mane, world class, but not every day. Roberto Firmino, world class, pretty much every day."
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A beaming 'Bobby' and also posed for photographs alongside his teammates and family with all of the silverware that he has won during his time with the club. Officials at Anfield also laid on a bouncy castle to make sure of a family affair, with Firmino's three daughters among a host of children present.
And fellow players weren't going to let him leave without serenading him with the song now synonymous with the striker, thanks to Liverpool's fans. Captain Jordan Henderson led a rendition of 'Si Senor', with Mo Salah and James Milner, also departing this summer, seen enthusiastically joining in with the singing.
Firmino has made 361 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 110 goals. He's expected to be involved one final time when Klopp's side travel to Southampton on Sunday, a game which may yet represent a chance to reach the Champions League if Man United are beaten by Chelsea on Thursday.
