Roberto Firmino: Liverpool legend’s next move officially confirmed after Al Ahli announce transfer
Roberto Firmino has signed for Al Ahli in the Saudi Professional League after his contract with Liverpool expired at the end of last season.
Liverpool could not convince Firmino to stay at Anfield after they invested in other attackers. Thus, 2023 has marked the end of an era for one of Jurgen Klopp’s most trusted players.
Firmino left Liverpool on a free transfer after 111 goals from 362 appearances for the club. He won seven honours in that time, including the 2018-19 Champions League and the 2019-20 Premier League.
There was previously an expectation that Firmino would find another club in Europe, amid links with the likes of Real Madrid – who have been searching for a successor to Karim Benzema after his own move to Saudi Arabia with Al Ittihad. However, Firmino has now joined the wave of star players heading to the Middle East.
Al Ahli have announced that Firmino has signed for them as a free agent. Reports have indicated that his contract there will last for three years.
Firmino has followed Edouard Mendy from the Premier League to Al Ahli after they also acquired the Senegal goalkeeper from Chelsea.
At the age of 31, Firmino has now signed for the fourth club of his career after his spells with Figueirense, Hoffenheim and Liverpool.
In theory, he will get the regular playing opportunities he has been aiming for at Al Ahli.
Liverpool’s attack, meanwhile, will consist of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota in the post-Firmino era.
Liverpool leavers finding new clubs quickly
Firmino was one of four senior players to leave Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the 2022-23 season. The others were Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
After Keita signed for Werder Bremen and Milner went to Brighton, only Oxlade-Chamberlain is still in search of a new club.
There have been suggestions that he could even become the first English player in the Saudi Pro League himself, although it isn’t yet clear with which club.
Another Liverpool legend in the shape of Steven Gerrard has gone to Saudi Arabia too this week in order to become the new manager of Al Ettifaq in his first job since leaving Aston Villa.
And there have been suggestions that Gerrard may be eyeing a raid for one of Liverpool’s senior players.
