Roberto Firmino on why he’s leaving Liverpool, potential return and emotional message to fans

For someone whose beaming, shiny white smile has become almost as synonymous as his football ability, Roberto Firmino is in absolutely no doubt about what will happen when the final whistle blows on Liverpool’s last home game of the season against Aston Villa on Saturday.

“After the game, I will cry 100%,” he says. “It’s a special day for me. It will be emotional for me and for my family.”

So, too, his team-mates and a packed Anfield who will pay homage to an undisputed Liverpool legend who has arguably become the true representation of the era of success under Jurgen Klopp.

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While Firmino is one of four Liverpool players – James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita the others – who will bid farewell with their contracts expiring in the summer, there’s no doubt the greatest affection will be afforded to the Brazilian, who has long been a crowd favourite since arriving from Hoffenheim eight years ago.

That became apparent during Monday’s Premier League win at Leicester City when Firmino, who was a non-playing member of the travelling party, was serenaded with his trademark ‘Si Senor’ song for much of the second half before being given a huge ovation from the away end and his fellow players after the game.

“To be honest, I was surprised because the game was away,” says the 31-year-old. “They knew I wasn’t on the bench but sat behind it. I was very emotional but I was very happy. I loved it and want to say thank you to all of them for the support and the love and affection they’ve shown me.

“I don’t remember the first time I ever heard the song but when I knew the fans had created a song for me I was very happy because it’s symbolic. It means they love me and always when I heard my song it gave me the courage and the motivation to work harder, to do more for the team and to do my best.

“When did I last sing ‘Si Senor’? Two days ago! I sang it in the car with my family. My children asked if I could put the song on so we could sing together. I play the piano but not that song yet. It’s hard! But I’ll learn.”

Having missed the last six games with a muscle problem., Firmino will be available for his Anfield farewell – “If I’m not 100% I would play anyway!” he jokes – as an astonishing Liverpool career draws to a close. He has made 360 appearances and scored 109 goals, and won the Premier League, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup and scored the only goal against Flamengo that made the Reds champions of the world for the first time in Qatar in December 2019.

But which meant the most? “The Champions League trophy,” says Firmino. “It was very nice to get this because it is so difficult to play against a lot of difficult teams in Europe. To get this is special for me and for the club as well.”

Firmino’s highlights are plentiful. He regards his late winner against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in September 2018 as his favourite goal, with his backheel flick to set up Mohamed Salah against Newcastle United 12 months later his most cherished of 72 assists. Unsurprisingly, his favourite game was the 5-1 win over Arsenal in December 2018 in which he scored a hat-trick.

Yet such success and longevity seemed a world away when he was signed during the closing stages of the Brendan Rodgers era. “In the first week I was here, even I didn’t know where I would be playing,” says Firmino. “I can play everywhere. But me and Brendan Rodgers didn’t understand each other about my position on the pitch.

“When the current manager arrived, we created a position, the false nine. After that I just enjoyed the position. Before, the whole time in my career I was a number 10. And then I came here and became a nine, a striker. I tried my best, and thank God it was very good. I say we created it together but he’d say it was me! I tell him it was together.”

Firmino ultimately formed one of the most devastating attacking triumvirates of his generation alongside Salah and Sadio Mane. But the Brazilian believes there was no great secret to why it worked so well.

“Because of training every day alongside each other,” he says. “We knew each other. In the game it would work because of that. But to play alongside these two guys, top players, it was an honour and a pleasure for me. I enjoyed it a lot playing alongside them both, and the results we earned together.

“Sometimes I enjoy more the assists than actually scoring a goal myself. It’s important for me. I enjoy assisting my team-mates and of course helping them with goals too.”

Holding court inside the AXA Training Centre to a select group of journalists for a rare interview on Friday afternoon, Firmino – who answers almost every question in English – fully embraces being regarded a Liverpool legend – “I’m okay with that!” – and explains his perennially cheery disposition.

“I was always like this,” he says. “I am happy all the time. I smile all the time. Even if I am sad or mad, inside I am happy. It is from my heart. God gave me this. I always try to do my best to smile and be happy in everything I do, in all the circumstances I pass through.”

While Liverpool were keen for Firmino to sign a new deal, the forward was mindful of overstaying his welcome. Indeed, he has started only one game since the World Cup with the new attacking generation of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo edging him further down the pecking order.

“It is time, unfortunately,” he says. “The cycle here is ended and I understand it is time to go. Maybe one day I could come back, I don’t know, but it’s time to go. Come back as a coach? Maybe! You never say never. I don’t know what is going to happen with my future. It might be to play, you never know.”

The leaving of Liverpool, though, will be difficult. “What will I miss most? Everything,” says Firmino. “My team-mates, the club, the fans, especially the fans, I love the fans, they’ve supported me a lot through these eight years here. I am very proud for everything that I have done here with the team, what we achieved together and the beautiful history we made together.

“We are leaving a great legacy. I’m very grateful to God for all that. I am so proud what we achieved here together. For everything that the club did for me and for my family, I’m so happy for everything.”

But how does he want to be remembered by the Liverpool fans? “Difficult,” says the Brazilian, who takes a long pause to contemplate his answer before landing on a reply. “My generosity and my heart.”

Roberto Firmino, ladies and gentlemen. There will never be another Liverpool player like him.

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