Roberto Firmino ‘is a target for new MLS side St Louis City’ – whose sporting director worked with the Brazilian at Hoffenheim… while ‘Los Angeles FC are also keen’ as he prepares to leave Liverpool
- Roberto Firmino will leave Liverpool when his current deal expires in the summer
- He has racked up over 100 goals and five major trophies in his time at Anfield
- The 31-year-old striker is now being chased by MLS side St Louis City
MLS side St Louis City are ‘looking to bring in Roberto Firmino’ when his Liverpool contract expires this summer.
It comes after the striker decided not to renew his Anfield deal after eight years and five major trophies at the club, a decision manager Jurgen Klopp admitted being ‘surprised’ at.
Having arrived from Hoffenheim in 2015, Firmino has racked up 108 goals for the Reds and won both the Premier League and Champions League.
His playtime has been reduced this season due to injuries, but the 31-year-old has still managed ten goals across all competitions.
He may now be headed for America, as reports in the Sun claim that St Louis City, who joined the MLS at the start of this year, are interested in signing the Liverpool star.
Roberto Firmino has attracted interest from the MLS side St Louis City after deciding to leave Liverpool
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp admitted being ‘surprised’ at the striker’s decision
It may be a good option for Firmino, as sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel was on the staff at Hoffenheim in the striker’s time there.
Fellow MLS side Los Angeles FC are believed to be keen on the Brazilian, with ‘six unnamed European sides’ also said to have expressed interest.
Firmino failed to make an impact off the bench as Liverpool suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday, but he did score their final goal in a thumping 7-0 victory over rivals Manchester United the weekend before.
The two results have been typical of a frustratingly inconsistent season for Liverpool.
When quizzed on Firminos’s exit before the Bournemouth game, Klopp said: ‘It could have gone two ways. And (he’s chosen) this one.
‘I respect that a lot and it’s completely normal in this long relationship that we have and that Bobby has with the club and the players.’
Firmino worked with St Louis sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel (pictured) when they were both at Hoffenheim
The manager added that Firmino would always be a popular player at Anfield.
‘He told me (about wanting to leave) and now I want to bring this wonderful story to a positive end,’ he said, ‘he’s completely committed still as you can imagine. And that’s all we need to know.
‘There’s no time for a goodbye in this moment. We’ll have enough time for that later in the season.
‘Whenever he comes back, the song will remain for a long, long time. I think he’s one of these players where, even if he comes back with an opposing team, people would be really happy to see him.’
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