"I think" - Sky Sports man predicts £180k-a-week Liverpool star will leave the club next year

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Roberto Firmino will leave the club next year.

The Brazilian has had a very successful time on Merseyside, scoring just under 100 goals in 330 games.

Firmino has won everything there is to win for the club, most notably the Premier League and Champions league and the Sky Sports pundit believes his time is nearly up.

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher said:

“I think with Roberto Firmino, it’s pretty obvious. He’s going to see out this year and probably move for free.”

One suspects Carragher’s prediction is an accurate one.

There have been few reports suggesting the Brazil international will renew his current deal at Anfield.

And his recent restoration into the starting XI wasn’t one which was widely foreseen, and somewhat forced upon Jürgen Klopp due to Darwin Nuñez’s red card and inexperience.

Eventually, the Uruguayan will be able to take on the mantle of starting as Liverpool’s main striker week in, week out, which’ll leave Firmino surplus to requirements to an extent.

It is also pretty clear that Firmino’s abilities have declined in recent seasons, with the Brazilian registering just 5 goals and 4 assists last term.

How well suited the role of the ‘false 9’ is to the Premier League is also up for debate at the moment.

Manchester City have moved away from the concept by signing Erling Haaland and Julien Alvarez to play through the middle instead of Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, or Phil Foden.

Chelsea are another side who have continued to utilise a false 9 this term in the form of Kai Havertz, and their struggles have been clear for all to see.

Firmino remains a Liverpool great. His many years of complementing Mo Salah and Sadio Mané in the Reds’ front three won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

But if Liverpool are to turn their fortunes around this term, one senses they might need to move away from the Brazilian.