Liverpool squad rocked by unhappy star’s exit, as Fabinho admits ‘we didn’t expect this decision’
Fabinho has admitted he and his fellow teammates were caught off guard by a confirmed Liverpool exit, and why the player in question was souring on life at Anfield has been revealed.
After a season that promised much and only delivered the Community Shield, major changes are afoot on Merseyside this summer. The first is behind the scenes, with German sporting director, Jorg Schmadtke, on the cusp of joining.
The 59-year-old will arrive on an initial short-term basis and run the rule over Liverpool’s transfer dealings this summer. German outlet BILD recently revealed two and possibly three of four potential Bundesliga signings are possible.
READ MORE: Liverpool signings from Bundesliga ranked as transfer chief Schmadtke targets German market
Elsewhere, the midfield overhaul is already in full swing, with Alexis Mac Allister agreeing to join from Brighton.
Further midfield additions will follow with Arthur Melo, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all departing. However, arguably the biggest loss to Jurgen Klopp’s side is the exit of Roberto Firmino.
The Brazilian, 31, will leave Liverpool after a glittering and trophy-laden eight-year stint with the Reds.
Firmino’s exit has already been confirmed by the club and the frontman was visibly emotional once the full time whistle blew during his final home game against Aston Villa last weekend.
Liverpool have already prepared for life after Firmino through the signings of Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo. A new frontman is not understood to be on their radar this summer.
However, that’s not stopped Firmino’s exit taking the Liverpool squad by surprise.
“We saw that he was not happy” – Fabinho
Indeed, speaking to Sky Sports News, fellow Brazilian Fabinho admitted he and his Liverpool teammates “didn’t expect” Firmino to leave. Firmino’s contract will expire on June 30.
The decision to part ways and not push for a new contract is understood to have been fuelled by Firmino himself. His game-time had been slashed over the last two seasons, while injuries had also begun to blight his career.
Fabinho revealed the once-rarely injured Firmino struggled with being unable to help his teammates while resigned to the treatment table.
Combined with the new additions being favoured by Klopp, Fabinho concluded Firmino believed he “had to go” for the benefit of all involved.
“This season, we were always asking him when he would sign a new contract: ‘come on, we want you to sign and stay with us.’ We didn’t expect him to go,” said Fabinho.
“He’s 31 years old so he has a lot to do. He can still play his best football at that age, he’s young.
“We didn’t expect this decision to be made but he had to go and sometimes we saw that he was not happy because of the injuries as well. He’s someone who usually doesn’t get injured and he struggled a little bit with the injuries.
“We already know he won’t stay, it was an emotional week for all of us and the only thing is I wish the very best for him and his family.”
On the subject of where Firmino might go next, all manner of clubs including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan have been linked.
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