Liverpool: Reds star, who left club for £0, now surpasses Szoboszlai

The former Liverpool icon is performing well in his new surroundings after leaving Anfield on a free transfer…

Liverpool moved a number of players away from Anfield in the summer transfer window, with the old guard phased out by Jurgen Klopp to bring new talents such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch into the building.

James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and others have all been let go by Klopp in his search for new, fresh players, with Fabinho and Henderson opting for a move to Saudi Arabia.
The latter joined Al-Ettifaq with former teammate Steven Gerrard, who will now work in the Middle East.

A third departure from Liverpool would also join the mega-bucks of the Saudi Pro League. Roberto Firmino ended his eight-year relationship with the Reds to join Al-Ahli, later linking up with former Premier League players Ryad Mahrez and Allan Saint-Maximin.
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How much did Liverpool sign Roberto Firmino for?

Recruited by Brendan Rodgers for £21.3 million in the 2015/16 summer transfer window – Klopp only joined the Reds in October – Firmino has become an integral part of Liverpool and a key player in the success that the German coach brought to Anfield.

In his first season for the club after leaving Hoffenheim, he scored a total of 49 goals for the Bundesliga club before Liverpool poached the Brazilian.
He scored ten goals and became Liverpool’s top scorer in the league.

He would go on to score double the number of goals for the Reds over the next three seasons.
His best season in a Liverpool shirt came in the 2017/18 season – the Brazilian center forward scored 15 goals and laid the foundations of an unstoppable top-three team.

Firmino – along with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane – wreaked havoc on elite defenses for several seasons, terrifying Premier League defenders and scoring an incredible 338 goals between them.
However, while Liverpool won the coveted Premier League at the end of the 2019/20 season, Firmino only scored nine goals.

The Brazilian’s emotional final match at Anfield showed just how much the Liverpool masses had idolized the striker.
He scored in the semi-final against Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw, with the striker visibly celebrating emotionally.

With 362 appearances for Liverpool – all mainly during Klopp’s tenure – Firmino was described as a Liverpool legend by pundits and fans alike when he left on a free transfer.

Even Liverpool striker Ian Rush described Firmino as the “skillest number nine Liverpool have ever had” following his move to Saudi Arabia, a glowing compliment from the Welshman, who also wore the same number.

How is Firmino doing in Saudi Arabia?

Firmino came straight into Al-Ahli’s lineup, having been named captain of his new Saudi side before a ball had even been kicked.

He has so far scored three goals in ten appearances for his new employers in the Middle East.
All three of these goals came against Al-Hazem on his debut, his second of the match, assisted by Ryad Mahrez.

He has also been altruistic towards Al-Ahli so far.
He assisted two more goals and one of those assists recently helped his Saudi team win 1-0 against Al-Okhdood. Franck Kessie took advantage with a last-minute winner.

Early years at Al-Ahli suggest Firmino will not treat this move as a holiday as he approaches retirement.
Rather, it’s an opportunity to become a star again after leaving Liverpool behind.
So far, he has scored more goals and assists than even Szoboszlai in a Reds shirt – the always impressive Hungarian midfielder has only scored twice this season without notching an assist.

But Firmino’s time with Klopp’s side is over and Liverpool fans will now be closely watching how the Brazilian performs in Saudi Arabia, hoping that their former icon excels in his new surroundings.