If Liverpool's attacking department has been categorised by its uncertainty in recent times, Roberto Firmino has been the one constant Jurgen Klopp can rely on.
The year of 2022 has seen quite the change for the Reds manager in terms of his options in the final third of the pitch.
While speculation over the contract impasse of Mohamed Salah rumbled on alongside the future of Sadio Mane, both Luis Diaz and then Darwin Nunez were signed and integrated into the team as Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi were offloaded.
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Firmino's presence, then, has been welcomingly familiar for Klopp as he plots the next stage of his team's evolution. As he heads into his eighth season as a Liverpool player, however, it seems it is the Brazil striker's turn to become the subject of gossip.
Into the final 12 months of an Anfield contract that was extended in April 2018, the former Hoffenheim man is said to be the object of Juventus' affections. Italian media even went as far as reporting that Firmino was on the cusp of a move to Turin last week.
The noises emanating from Merseyside, however, are encouraging on that front. Not least from the player himself whose firm declaration of his love of both the club and the city was fittingly reassuring last week.
"I love this team, this city and the fans. I'm here. I want to stay of course," he told TNT Sports Brasil in the wake of Saturday's Community Shield triumph and Klopp himself gave no indication that he was willing to green light another high-profile exit this window either on Friday.
"Bobby is crucial for us," Klopp said. "Bobby is the heart and soul of this team. The way we played in the last years was only possible because of Bobby. That's why I am really happy that he could train the majority of the time here in the pre-season so far. Everything looks really good, so I am absolutely fine. For me there is no doubt about his quality. All the rest we will see how it goes, for me he is essential for us."
The ECHO understands that Liverpool have no intention of offloading Firmino this window. His influence may have dimmed since those halcyon days of 2017/18 when he netted 27 times, but with Nunez adapting and Diogo Jota currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, the 30-year-old is about to enter his most important season for years at Anfield.
The player himself certainly isn't speaking like someone who is seeking pastures new, either. In an interview with the club's official programme to preview Sunday's friendly with Strasbourg, Firmino spoke of his love of the club's supporters and his grand hopes for the forthcoming term.
"I can't wait to be back in front of our fans," he said. "They support us all day every day. I absolutely love our fans. It's as if the fans are an extra player - to us they are an extra player. We need them, their support, songs and chants to motivate us. It helps us give our all on the pitch."
On the end-of-season parade to mark the winning of both the FA and Carabao Cup, he added: "It helped me a lot. Personally speaking, I was really hurting after losing another final and it was an incredible feeling to see such a welcome from all the fans there to celebrate with us.
"We had won two trophies, of course, which is worth celebrating, it was really rewarding. I'm grateful to God for our fans, for their effort and the constant support they always provide us with. It was an incredible experience for us.
"It served to motivate and strengthen us even further in preparation for this coming season. We'd already experienced a parade when we won the Champions League. That was a unique day. Once again the fans showed how much passion they have for this club, how much they love us and support us to do our best.
"It was another incredible day that I'll remember forever, an important moment in my life story. I feel grateful for last season. I don't want to diminish the achievement of the two trophies but we were chasing all four and unfortunately it wasn't to be."
But the most comforting aspect of Firmino's declarations to the contrary where those Juventus links are concerned are his bold ambitions for the coming term. Once more, the attacker has designs on chasing every trophy available to Liverpool.
"Who knows this season? We will go after all four trophies again," he added. "But it's about taking things step-by-step working very hard to get there. Of course it's possible and our focus is to win four trophies. We will compete for all four, but it depends on the work we do and how we progress. Our goal is to compete in and win all four competitions."
Given the ever-changing face of Liverpool's frontline this calendar year, it was inevitable that he would eventually be the subject of his own transfer rumours. But the message from all areas is clear: Firmino is raring to go once more for Klopp's Liverpool.
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