Jurgen Klopp confirms Roberto Firmino replacement as 'Imminent transfer agreed'
After it was reported that the Brazilian had consented to a move , Jurgen Klopp stated that Cody Gakpo may fill the vacuum left by Roberto Firmino.
Despite being given new terms, Firmino, 31, who has played with Liverpool since 2015, is expected to leave the team in June when his contract expires. The former Hoffenheim player, who amassed an astounding 109 goals in 360 games during his stint at Anfield, is now anticipated to join the Spanish powerhouses, according to The Mail.
Despite Firmino's impending departure, Klopp may have already found a replacement. January arrival Gakpo has impressed since his big-money move from PSV. The Dutchman has scored five goals in 14 Premier League matches and started in the centre-forward berth for Liverpool's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.
Speaking after the Reds' win on Saturday, Klopp said: "If you watched international football over the last five, six years as a footballer and you love football, and if you are in a similar role, have a similar job to do in the game and you didn't pick up anything from Bobby Firmino, that would be a bad decision, to be honest.
"We play in public, so you can watch all the games. I think Bobby in this role is an inspiration for pretty much every player in a similar position, so that's clear.
"Cody is 23 years old, he was captain of his former club – I had no clue how that happens that early and then when he arrived here you realise, 'Ah OK, he's a super-smart kid, really open and a real team player' and stuff like this. On top of that, a really good footballer.
Cody Gakpo has scored five Premier League goals since his move to Liverpool(Getty Images)
"He can play this position, can play wide, can play the centre. The real nine, a bit higher up, he can play that as well; double striker, can play that as well. So, he can create his own way there on the position, so it's not like we have to do it exactly [the same] because nobody can do it like Bobby, because nobody is Bobby."
Gakpo started in a front line that Liverpool's second consecutive Premier League victory featured Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota on either side. Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were consequently relegated to the bench, but Klopp has justified his decision to keep Gakpo in the lineup.
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