Jurgen Klopp urges Liverpool to tie down Roberto Firmino to new long-term deal

Jurgen Klopp claims it is absolutely essential Liverpool tie down Roberto Firmino to a new long-term deal.

Liverpool are currently in talks with Firmino’s representatives over a fresh contract to reward him for a superb season. The 26-year-old has scored 22 goals and added 11 assists in all competitions but has also caught the eye with his all-round workrate.

Firmino signed a highly incentivised £100,000-a-week deal until June 2020 when he joined the Reds from Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim for £21.3m in 2015. And it is understood his basic salary would rise under the terms of his new contract to bring him in line with the club’s top earners.

“It is very important for both sides,” Liverpool manager Klopp said of the new contract offer for Firmino. “I think everything we are doing, the way we play, the way we give him the opportunity constantly to play, he deserves that.

“He deserves that because his work-rate is outstanding but it helped him a lot to step up. He became a different player here. Other teams can say ‘Hmmm, he’s really good’ but it is not sure they will play the same way and use him as a nine or a ten or they’ll use him out on the wings.

“You need players who are good on the ball and have Roberto’s football intelligence. But of course it is important to keep these players who are at a good age and when there is still space for improvement. It is clear – there is no doubt we want to do that with the contract.”

Firmino lamented the sale of compatriot Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January, however he remains happy at Anfield and recognises the progress he has made under Klopp. The German acknowledged Firmino’s form has ensured Coutinho’s departure has not been felt so much on the pitch.

Klopp continued: “Roberto was always a dominant player, that’s why he drops into midfield and gets the ball and lose a few balls where you have a heart attack but then he wins it back and starts an attack.

“It is not the biggest difference but there are a few decisive differences in the last few games. Maybe the biggest compliment is that nobody thought in the last few games ‘with Phil it would have been different’.

“I really don’t want to throw dirt after Phil because there is no need and everything is fine, but it’s just normal. We played fantastic football with Phil as well. The team needed to step up without him. It is another way to play football. I always hoped it would not be an issue.”

Klopp claims no decision has been made over the long-term future of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet after he was axed as number one for Loris Karius.

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“Of course he (Mignolet) is not happy. How could he be?” Klopp added. “I didn’t think about the long term. But he accepted the situation. Simon’s a fantastic character so trains at a really high level. He was a long time the number one and now he is the number two but it doesn’t change his attitude in training which is all good.”

Meanwhile, Klopp has urged new Scotland manager Alex McLeish to give the captain’s armband to Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson. The 23-year-old has established himself as Liverpool’s first choice left-back ahead of Alberto Moreno and Klopp believes he is mature enough to skipper the Scotland team.

“Scotland cannot make a mistake choosing Robbo,” Klopp said. “He’s a really good option. He was in the team here, before he was in the team if you understand. He had a close relationship to all of the boys so you could see he would leading in the future.

“We spoke about his development, we spoke about the football things he has to do. I am not sure if I know plenty of the Scotland national team players, but Robbo would for sure be the future.”