Ливерпүүлийн домогт тоглогч асан Роберто Фирмино өөрийн залгамжлагч Александр Исакийг тайван байж, өөртөө итгэлтэй тоглохыг зөвлөв.
Ливерпүүлийн довтлогч Александр Исак 125 сая фунт стерлингийн өртөгтэйгээр шилжин ирснээс хойш 23 тоглолтод оролцохдоо ердөө 4 гоол оруулсан нь шүүмжлэл дагуулаад байна. Энэ талаар Роберто Фирмино хэлэхдээ, довтлогч бүр хүнд үеийг туулдаг бөгөөд Исак өмнөх жилүүдэд Премьер лигийн шилдэг тоглогчдын нэг гэдгээ харуулсан тул сэтгэл зүйгээ тогтвортой байлгах нь чухал гэдгийг онцоллоо. Тэрээр Исакийг гэмтэл бэртэл болон шинэ дасгалжуулагчийн тактикт дасан зохицох шаардлагатай байгааг дурдаж, Анфилд цэнгэлдэхэд өөрийгөө батлан харуулна гэдэгт итгэлтэй байгаагаа илэрхийлэв.
Роберто Фирмино Ливерпүүлд найман жил тоглохдоо 362 тоглолтод оролцож, 111 гоол, 72 оновчтой дамжуулалт бүртгүүлэн Премьер лигийн түүхэн дэх хамгийн олон гоол оруулсан бразил тоглогч болсон юм. Тэрээр одоо Катарын Аль Садд багт хүчин зүтгэж байгаа бөгөөд өнгөрсөн хугацаанд тус багийн хамтаар лигийн аварга цолыг хүртжээ. Фирмино хуучин дасгалжуулагч Юрген Клопптой холбоотой хэвээр байгаагаа дурдаж, түүнийг Германы шигшээ багийн дасгалжуулагчаар томилогдсонд баяртай байгаагаа хуваалцлаа.
Мөн тэрээр Ливерпүүлийн хаалгач Алиссон Беккерийг багийн дэд ахлагчаар томилсон нь зөв шийдвэр байсныг онцлов. Фирмино цаашдаа талбай дээр гарах боломжтой бол Ливерпүүлийн домогт тоглогчдын буяны тоглолтод оролцох хүсэлтэй байгаагаа илэрхийлж, Анфилд эргэн ирэх өдрийг тэсэн ядан хүлээж буйгаа хэллээ.
Дэлгэрэнгүйг эх сурвалжаас харах
↓Эх сурвалжийг нээх ↓
There is advice for Liverpool’s current No 9 from the last man to achieve legendary status at Anfield with that iconic shirt on his back.
Roberto Firmino is speaking to The Athletic over Zoom from Qatar, before heading out for training with his Al Sadd team-mates.
The conversation has turned to Alexander Isak and his ongoing battle to live up to his status as the most expensive footballer in Premier League history.
Next week will mark a year since Isak completed a £125million move to Liverpool from Newcastle United following a protracted saga. Fitness and form have left the Swede with a meagre return of just four goals in 23 appearances ahead of Saturday’s first home game of the new season against Nottingham Forest.
“Alex has to stay positive,” Firmino says. “All strikers go through difficult periods, but he’s already proved in previous years that he’s one of the best in the Premier League.
“There’s always pressure when you play for a club as big as Liverpool, especially when they pay a lot of money to sign you, but he just needs to relax, and I’m sure the goals will come.
“You can’t judge him on last season, because he had injuries and missed so many games. It was a tough season for the club in general. But this is a new start with a new manager, and I’m sure he will grow in confidence as he gets more used to the players around him and gets more chances.
“There is no better place to be a No 9, scoring goals and helping the team win games. Anfield is special, and as long as you always give everything for Liverpool, then the fans will stay right behind you. I believe in him.”
Isak has struggled for form and fitness since joining Liverpool last September (George Wood/Getty Images)
Few Liverpool players in the modern era have been as universally respected and adored by staff, team-mates and supporters as Firmino. The Brazilian gave eight years of outstanding service to the club before an emotion-fuelled Anfield farewell in May 2023.
Firmino was signed from German Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim for £29million during Brendan Rodgers’ time as manager. He flourished under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp — contributing 111 goals and 72 assists in 362 matches in all competitions.
He helped Liverpool win the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. There’s a mural in his honour at the corner of Anfield Road and Rockfield Road, close to the stadium, and his song ‘Si Senor’ is still chanted regularly by Liverpool supporters.
Firmino remains the highest-scoring Brazilian in Premier League history with 82 goals, followed by Arsenal’s former Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus (79) and Richarlison, who has 71 for Watford, Everton and now Tottenham Hotspur.
“It’s been three years since I left, but I still try to watch all of Liverpool’s matches,” he says. “The club means everything to me and my family.The people there always treated us so well.
“We have so many amazing memories. There was so much joy with the goals I was able to score, the trophies that we won and the parades we had around the city. It was a gift from God to be able to play there for so long. I’m proud of what we achieved.”
With Sadio Mane to his left and Mohamed Salah to his right, Firmino was the central figure in a glittering three-pronged attack that tormented defences across Europe and beyond. Mane and Salah were more prolific in terms of goals, but both admitted they were indebted to the selfless nature of the man in the middle.
Klopp described Firmino as “the engine” and “the heart and soul” of his Liverpool side, once claiming people would “write books” about how he had interpreted the false-nine role with his tireless efforts off the ball.
“It worked so well because Mo, Sadio and I all had qualities that complemented each other,” Firmino says. “We could all score goals but we could also create for each other. We had such a great understanding in terms of where each of us was on the field and where we wanted the ball to be placed. It was a pleasure to play with the two of them. All of us always worked so hard and always put the team first.
“I wish Mo the best as he starts a new chapter in Turkey (having recently joined Trabzonspor). He broke so many records at Liverpool. The three of us made history together by winning everything. We were also fortunate to have such a good manager.”
Firmino, who won 55 caps for Brazil (scoring 17 times), still keeps in contact with Klopp and was delighted to see him return to the game last month when he was appointed as Germany’s new head coach following the post-World Cup departure of Julian Nagelsmann.
“We message each other on Instagram sometimes,” he adds. “I owe Jurgen a lot because he helped me so much in my career.
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“It wasn’t easy for me at the start when I joined Liverpool, but he really believed in me. He told me how important I was going to be for his team.
“It’s so good to see him back coaching again. He needed some time off to rest after so many years at Liverpool. I thought he would come back eventually. Managing Germany is a good opportunity for him. He’s such a positive person and gets the best out of players. He helps you fulfil your potential. I’m sure he will do very well with his national team.”
Firmino remains close friends with countryman Alisson, whom he regards as “a brother” after their time together on Merseyside. The Brazil goalkeeper was linked with a move to Italy’s Juventus earlier this summer, but Liverpool weren’t prepared to sanction his sale. They had previously triggered a one-year option to keep their long-serving No 1 at Anfield until the end of this season.
“I think it was a very good decision by (incoming head coach Andoni) Iraola to make Ali one of the new vice-captains,” he says. “He has so much experience to pass on. He’s a calm influence in the dressing room, and he’s also someone other players look up to and respect. He’s been one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world for so many years, and he’s also a leader on and off the pitch. Ali is like family to me, and (he’s) a great man.”
Firmino first moved to Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ahli when his contract expired at Liverpool in the summer of 2023. He scored 21 times in 62 matches across two seasons, helping the Jeddah club clinch the Asian Champions League title for the first time in their history in 2025.
He then signed a two-year contract with Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd, and there was more silverware as they won the league under former Manchester City and Italy manager Roberto Mancini. Firmino was pivotal to their success as he contributed 17 goals and eight assists in 33 matches in all competitions.
Mancini stepped down in June after agreeing to return to the Italy job following their astonishing failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third tournament running. Romanian Razvan Lucescu was appointed as his successor, and Al Sadd’s defence of the title got off to a winning start last weekend.
Firmino said he was happy to see Klopp back in management (John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images)
“I’m excited about the season ahead,” Firmino says. “There have been some changes at the club, but we have big ambitions again. My family are happy and settled here. There are only 12 teams in the top division, so it’s different. But the league is definitely getting stronger.”
Firmino is 35 in October, but retirement remains far from his thoughts. That trademark whiter-than-white smile sparkles as he talks about his enduring love for the game.
“Pre-season gets harder every year, I have to admit, but I still get the same kind of feeling every time I step onto the field,” he says. “I feel very blessed, and all the glory belongs to Jesus. I want to keep playing for as long as I can. As long as I can stay healthy and can still contribute at a good level, I will keep going. Why not play for another four or five years? Until I’m 40? Yeah maybe. Let’s see what God’s plan is.”
How about a trip back to Anfield?
“I will definitely return at some point,” he adds. “It’s such a special place. I’d love to come back and play for the Liverpool Legends in one of those charity games. If they call me, I will be there.”
