Roberto Firmino has revealed that a last-minute substitution against Wolves that pointed him to God was the catalyst for his Liverpool exit.
The skilful forward waved goodbye to his beloved Anfield in June 2023 after an impressive eight-year stint, during which he scored 111 goals and provided 75 assists across 392 matches. Firmino’s trophy cabinet boasts the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, Carabao Cup, and the FA Cup with the Reds.
The Brazilian ace then switched to Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League and has now shared the reason on why he left the club he cherished deeply, in his autobiography ‘Si Senor: My Liverpool Years’.
Firmino, who is celebrating his 33rd birthday today, wrote in the book: “The straw that broke the camel’s back was a match against Wolves, in which I came on as a substitute in the last minute. That was it. Right there, I understood.
“As we say in Brazil, the penny dropped. I knew now. I called my agents. Roger Wittmann and Christian Rapp met with me for a face-to-face talk. We left the living room and went to my room: just me, Christian, Roger and Larissa, no distractions. Christian and Roger were perfectly transparent about everything that was happening and the club’s view of my future.
“It wasn’t a war. It was just a difference in understanding about what I could offer to Liverpool. I reflected a lot and realized that God’s plan was to take me somewhere else. The signs were all there since that conversation with Pastor Daniel in Maceio. I had been stubborn.
“God didn’t want me to stay in Liverpool, but I was insisting. I didn’t listen. But I couldn’t avoid it any more. It was time to accept. I decided it was time to seek another challenge for myself, another purpose. My time at Liverpool had come to an end.”
Since moving to Saudi, the 33-year-old has not quite managed to replicate the form that made him a cult hero on Merseyside, contributing 19 goals in 43 appearances so far.
Firmino is now part of an all-star attack at Al-Ahli, alongside former Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney, who joined the club in a £40m deal this summer.Despite their impressive firepower, Al-Ahli have made a sluggish start to the season, picking up just seven points from their opening five games to leave them seventh in the table.
On the other hand, Liverpool are currently sitting top of the Premier League table after six games, winning five and losing just one. While the days of Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane are long gone, Liverpool’s attack is looking as dangerous as ever with Arne Slot getting a tune out of Luis Diaz, who has already scored five times this season.
