Liverpool legend John Barnes has admitted he would be 'very sad' if Roberto Firmino's seven-year stay at Anfield came to an end next summer and insists the striker was the orchestrator behind Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah's success at the club.
Firmino, who turned 31 on Sunday, is currently out of contract next summer. While the futures of Salah and Mane - who also had contracts expiring in 2023 - were resolved swiftly during the summer, the Brazilian's time on Merseyside is currently in limbo. Such a delay in sorting out the former Hoffenheim forward's future means he will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with European clubs from January 1, 2023.
But despite signs of regression in his qualities in recent seasons, Liverpool's No.9 has enjoyed a fine start to the current campaign and is currently the club's top goalscorer in the Premier League having fired braces against Bournemouth and Brighton, while also beating Nick Pope in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in late August.
