Roberto Firmino 'wants to stay in Europe after Liverpool exit'

Earlier this month, it was announced that the Brazil international would be ending a trophy-laden eight years with Liverpool upon the expiration of his contract this summer.

Firmino enjoyed bountiful success as part of a feared front three with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, but injuries and new arrivals have since forced him down the pecking order.

However, the 31-year-old is not expected to be short of offers this summer, although he is currently focusing on his final few months at Liverpool before making a decision on his future.

Nevertheless, Firmino has apparently offered his services to Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid and teams in Serie A have also been credited with an interest.

A move to Saudi Arabia or MLS has also been mooted, but according to Football Insider, the former Hoffenheim man intends to continue in Europe for a little while longer.

Both Inter Milan and AC Milan are believed to be considering a move for Firmino on a free transfer, but he has instructed his agent to hold fire as he aims to leave Liverpool with a flourish.

The Brazilian was signed for the Reds by Brendan Rodgers a few months before the Northern Irishman left the club, and he has since recorded 108 goals and 79 assists in 356 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's team.

Triumphing on the domestic and continental stage, Firmino has won seven different major honours at Anfield, including the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield.

The South American has also produced a respectable 10 goals and five assists from 29 outings in all tournaments this term, but he has been demoted to a rotational role by Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez.

Firmino has started just 11 Premier League games in the 2022-23 season, but Klopp admitted that he was still slightly surprised by the striker's decision to say goodbye.

"Yes, he told me. Surprised? Yes, a little bit but I was not hit by surprise, actually it's a normal thing to do. It could go two ways and it was one," Klopp told a press conference last week.

"It's completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club and with most of the players and stuff like this, and with the fans of course.

"It's pretty special and I loved the reception he got when he came on against United. He told me and then the only other thing he said is, 'Now I want to bring this wonderful story to a positive end.' So, that's it. He is completely here and completely committed, how everybody can imagine. And that's all we need to know.

"There's no time for a goodbye or whatever in this moment, there's enough time for that later in the season. Whenever he will come back, everybody knows that the song will still be for a long, long time in everybody's ears I'm pretty sure. No problem. I think he's one of these players that even when he would come with an opposition team, people would be really happy to see him."

Firmino has not been called up to the Brazil squad for the upcoming international break - having also been snubbed for the 2022 World Cup - as Liverpool prepare to take on Premier League champions Manchester City in their first game back on April 1.