Jurgen Klopp Confirms This Star Won’t Leave Liverpool Amid Transfer Links: Details

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed fan-favorite Roberto Firmino will not leave Liverpool FC despite being linked with a few clubs this summer.

Firmino was recently linked with the likes of Newcastle United and Juventus. It was earlier reported that the Serie A club even approached the Reds with a proposal for Firmino but the Merseyside club turned it down.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Liverpool’s Community Shield fixture against Manchester City on Thursday, Klopp heaped praise on Firmino, calling the Brazilian forward Liverpool’s "heart and soul."

"Bobby is crucial for us. Bobby is [the] heart and soul of this team. The way we played in the last few years was only possible because of Bobby. That’s why I’m really happy he could train the majority of the time here in the pre-season so far and everything looks really good. I am absolutely fine and, for me, there’s no doubt about his quality," Klopp was quoted by Liverpool’s media as saying in the press conference.

All the rest, we will see how this year goes, but yes, he is essential for us,” Klopp added about Firmino, who just has a year left on his Liverpool contract.

Firmino moved to Liverpool from Hoffenheim in 2015. In 327 competitive matches, he has netted 98 goals and provided 74 assists for the Anfield side. His best season with Liverpool was 2017-18, where he netted 27 goals and provided 17 assists. That season also saw the beginning of Liverpool’s iconic front three of Firmino, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane.

However, the upcoming season won’t see Mane in the Liverpool shirt anymore as the Senegalese forward has switched to Bayern Munich. The Reds have also bolstered their attack with Salah and Firmino now set to join hands with the likes of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez in the front line. Liverpool also have Diogo Jota, who is currently out of action with a reoccurred hamstring injury.

Liverpool and Manchester City will come face to face at King Power Stadium on Saturday for the Community Shield, a trophy that eludes Klopp's decorated cabinet at Anfield.

Liverpool will kickstart their 2022-23 Premier League season with an away fixture against Fulham on Aug. 6. Klopp and Co’s first league home game is against Crystal Palace on Aug. 16.