Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool are in talks to extend Roberto Firmino 's contract and the Reds striker wasted no time in responding.
Firmino took just six minutes to open the scoring in Liverpool's rousing 3-1 win against Southampton on Saturday, the perfect way to prove his worth to the Anfield hierarchy. The 31-year-old Brazilian controversially left out of his country's squad for the World Cup, met Andy Robertson's inviting free-kick with a flicked header which saw the ball nestle in the back of Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bauznu's net.
Although two goals from Darwin Nunez were needed after Che Adams quickly equalised for the Saints, there's no doubting that Firmino took his chance at a crucial time.
With no first-team fixture for over a month, the Reds will be plotting their January transfer business and beyond in the coming weeks. Firmino's future is almost certain to be on the agenda, with his contract expiring at the end of the season after eight years on Merseyside, having been signed for £29million by Brendan Rodgers in 2015.
Klopp is keen to tie his No.9 down for the future, offering a glimpse into early negotiations over a new deal. "Normal conversations [are] happening," the Liverpool manager confirmed. "So we will see what happens there."
Klopp also discussed the Brazil international's omission for his nation's World Cup squad, labelling it "madness" but praising the alternative forwards that Selecao boss Tite opted for. "It was a blow, definitely," the German added. "You couldn’t see it in training but definitely you could see, it was clear.
"It was a blow for me to be honest. So I am in between, I am happy we have Bobby for more time, but I think he deserves it, I think he deserves everything in the world to be 100 per cent honest. And it shows just how incredibly good and talented this Brazil squad is if you can leave a player like Bobby Firmino out, madness.
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"Yes, of course, we will talk. We have already and maybe we will again but he's fine. It's how everyone can imagine, he is very disappointed about the fact, but that is it."
Firmino did his talking on the pitch during Saturday's victory but has previously committed his future to Anfield with some telling comments. In July, the ex-Hoffenheim star confirmed when speaking to TNT Sports Brasil: "I love this team, this city and the fans. I'm here. I want to stay, of course."
Liverpool's potential takeover may muddle things, but it's clear that Firmino boasts a strong argument to stay.
