Liverpool squad rocked by unhappy star’s exit, as Fabinho admits ‘we didn’t expect this decision’
Fabinho has claimed that a confirmed Liverpool exit caught him and his teammates off guard, and he has revealed why the player in question was unhappy at Anfield.
Merseyside is undergoing huge changes this summer following a season that promised much but only produced the Community Shield. The first is taking place behind the scenes, with Jorg Schmadtke, the German sporting director, on the verge of joining.
The 59-year-old will arrive on a temporary basis and oversee Liverpool’s transfer business this summer. According to BILD, two and possibly three of four prospective Bundesliga acquisitions are possible.
Meanwhile, Alexis MacAllister has agreed to join from Brighton, completing the midfield revamp.
Further midfield arrivals will follow the departures of Arthur Melo, Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. However, the departure of Roberto Firmino is perhaps the most significant blow for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
The Brazilian, 31, will depart Liverpool after an eight-year spectacular and trophy-laden spell with the Reds.
The club has officially confirmed Firmino’s departure, and the frontman was visibly distraught after the final whistle blew during his farewell home game against Aston Villa last weekend.
Liverpool have already made plans for life after Firmino by bringing in Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo. This summer, they are not expected to sign a new frontman.
However, Firmino’s departure has taken the Liverpool group by surprise.
“We could tell he wasn’t happy,” Fabinho said.
Indeed, fellow Brazilian Fabinho confessed to Sky Sports News that he and his Liverpool teammates “didn’t expect” Firmino to go. Firmino’s contract is set to expire on June 30th.
Firmino is said to have influenced the decision to part ways and not pursue a new deal. Over the previous two seasons, his playing time had been reduced, and injuries had begun to wreak havoc on his career.
Fabinho claimed that Firmino, who was once rarely hurt, struggled with being unable to help his teammates while on the treatment table.
With the fresh signings preferred by Klopp, Fabinho decided Firmino felt he “had to go” for the good of everyone concerned.
“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.”
Firmino has been linked to a number of clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan, among others.
