Roberto Firmino admits tears will flow after emotional Anfield farewell

T he master of the no-look goal is looking back once more and sadly, for the legions who cherish the joy that Roberto Firmino has brought to Liverpool over the past eight years, for one final time. “I am trying to focus on the game,” Firmino says of his Anfield farewell against Aston Villa on Saturday. “But after it I will cry 100%.”

Firmino has avoided media interviews as artfully as opposition defenders throughout his Liverpool career, and also with a beaming smile whenever politely declining another request. But today he makes an exception. He should not, and will not, go quietly. One of the most important and popular figures in Liverpool’s recent history and success under Jürgen Klopp is bowing out with, thus far, 360 appearances and 109 goals, and after seven winners’ medals and countless moments of audacious skill and selflessness. The parting will be painful.

“I will miss everything,” says Firmino, who is fit to face Villa after a muscle problem. “My teammates, the club, the fans, especially the fans. I love the fans – they’ve supported me a lot through these eight years. I am so proud of what we achieved here together. For everything that the club did for me and for my family, I’m so happy.”

So why go now, when a contract extension was on the table? Firmino, who does not want to discuss his next move, says: “It is time, unfortunately. The cycle here is ended and I understand it is time to go. I am very proud for everything that I have done here with the team, what we achieved together and the beautiful history we made together. I am very proud. Maybe one day I could come back, I don’t know, but it’s time to go.”

The farewell to Firmino started on Monday at Leicester, where Liverpool fans spent much of the 3-0