"It's decided..." - Journalist claims Liverpool star will leave the club this summer in huge blow to Klopp

Roberto Firmino has informed Liverpool that he will leave the club this summer at the end of his contract, Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenburg has claimed.

The Brazilian is reportedly set to bring to an end his eight-year stay at Anfield, where he has been a key player under Jurgen Klopp.

Taking to Twitter, Plettenburg has claimed that Firmino informed the German boss of his decision to leave Anfield on Friday.

The forward remains an integral part of the Liverpool squad due to his link-up play and work rate, and his presence in the Reds attack has been missed in 2023 due to injury.

He has won seven trophies with Liverpool, including the Champions League in 2019 and Premier League in 2020.

He initially joined the club under Brendan Rodgers in 2015, featuring regularly as an attacking midfielder in his early days at the club.

But upon the arrival of Klopp, he transitioned into a centre forward that could play in a 'false nine' role, and has been key to the Reds success.

Journalist claims Firmino will leave

However, it has been reported that the Brazilian's time at Anfield is set to come to an end this summer.

Plettenburg tweeted: [Firmino] will LEAVE Liverpool after eight years! It's decided!

"The player has informed Klopp personally and today. It was a good talk.

💥 Excl. News #Firmino: He will LEAVE Liverpool after 8 years! It’s decided! The player has informed #Klopp personally & today. It was a good talk. He won’t extend his contract. He will leave the club as a free agent in summer.

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 with #LFC so far! @SkySportDE 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/zaeGV2ThzY

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) March 3, 2023

"He won't extend his contract. He will leave the club as a free agent in summer. Seven trophies with Liverpool so far!"

Klopp has spoken on numerous occasions of his desire to keep Firmino at Anfield, and the reported decision made by the forward, if indeed confirmed by the club, will doubtless come as a major blow to the Reds boss.

Speaking in January, the German boss publicly stated (via Daily Mail): "I said that before - yes, I want to keep him at the club."

Last month, meanwhile, Firmino's agent, Max Wittman, hinted to Sky Germany that the Brazilian could remain at Anfield beyond the end of his current deal.

"It's a long relationship between Roberto and Liverpool. Roberto is comfortable. At the moment we are in a great exchange and in February we will probably know where the journey is going.

"But Roberto also has to have a say in order to find an agreement with Liverpool. We are on the right track. We have really good talks with Liverpool."