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Tony Cascarino has predicted that Roberto Firmino will ‘sadly’ leave Liverpool in the summer following their capture of coveted Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo earlier this week.
The Reds stole a march on their rivals to seal a £45million move for Gakpo, 23, who had been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer. Gakpo was always likely to be on the move in the New Year after starring for his country at the World Cup, where he notched three goals in five outings.
Gakpo is capable of playing anywhere across the forward line but is likely to deputise on the left-hand side of Liverpool’s attack in the wake of Luis Diaz’s latest injury setback. However, Cascarino believes that Gakpo’s arrival is likely to have a significant knock-on effect on Firmino.
The Brazilian striker has just over six months remaining on his current deal and is free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with clubs from overseas in January.
And Cascarino believes that Firmino is now more likely to leave Anfield than pen a new deal. He told talkSPORT: “He’s [Gakpo] so versatile that you can play him in any position in the forward line – and that’s typical of a Klopp signing, that he likes to use certain players in different positions.
“But, I think there will be a sad exodus for some players who have been terrific for Liverpool but have their contracts running down. And I think that will be Firmino in the summer.”
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Football365Liverpool swoop in for Cody Gakpo
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Following the departure of Sadio Mane in the summer, Liverpool have revamped their forward line and now boast Firmino, Gakpo, Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah.
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Firmino’s long-term future remains uncertain as speculation over a new deal, which has persisted for over 12 months, continues to plague the former Hoffenheim man.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp tried to allay fans’ concerns earlier this week when he insisted that the club hierarchy is still committed to finding an agreement with the 31-year-old and that talks are currently ongoing.
Firmino has evolved into a firm fans favourite since joining the club from Hoffenheim in 2015 but his influence had waned over the past 12 months, partly due to injuries. The veteran has battled back this term, though, and has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers, with only Salah (16) bettering his tally of nine goals in all competitions.
When he was asked if Gakpo’s arrival impacted plans for Firmino, the Reds chief was defiant and replied: “No. We had talks with Bobby. From my point of view, I want him definitely to stay. It has no impact. If it affects Bobby then you’d have to ask him.”