This Is Anfield • Liverpool FC Features • Roberto Firmino Back to Liverpool : ‘H.Son deal was approved tody – The both playing against Brentford  

This Is Anfield • Liverpool FC Features •
Roberto Firmino Back to Liverpool : ‘H.Son deal was approved tody – The both playing against Brentford

In an exclusive extract from his new memoir, Si Senor: My Liverpool Years, Roberto Firmino opens up on the moment he knew he would leave the club – and how he told Jurgen Klopp.
From ‘Si Senor: My Liverpool Years’:
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.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, March 5, 2023: Liverpool’s substitute Roberto Firmino before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 7-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It had been a beautiful story that I wanted to finish the right way. We are very grateful for everything we experienced in England; all of our dreams, mine and my family’s, were fulfilled.

We experienced the greatest joys and triumphs; it was all so intense. And we didn’t want to leave with any bitterness, anger or resentment.

If it was difficult for them to say, well then I would say it: ‘I’m not staying. I’ll go’. If deep in their hearts they weren’t sure about extending my contract, if they didn’t know what to do, then for the good of everyone I would make the decision to leave.

And so we arrived at 3 March 2023. I wrote the message to Klopp on my own, on my cell phone, and let my heart guide my fingers.

Then I went to training.

2EDWCJA Soccer Football – Champions League Final – Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool – Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain – June 1, 2019 Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League Final REUTERS/Carl Recine
After the session, I went to the Boss’s office and asked his assistant if he was available. When I walked into the room, Klopp was sitting behind his desk, drinking a cup of coffee.

He looked at me and said, ‘I think I know what you want to talk about’. I’m not sure if he knew. Maybe he thought I was going to complain about not getting many minutes. Maybe he knew the topic could be my departure. I had my phone in my hand. I opened the note titled ‘Meeting’.

But I didn’t even need to read it. I had practised my speech so many times that I had memorised it. It felt like an eternity, but it only took a few seconds for it to leave my mouth. Our conversation didn’t last longer than five minutes.

‘There are things that are not in my hands. I don’t have control over everything’, the Boss said. He accepted the decision very quickly. One of my fears was that he would insist on me staying. I had already made the decision guided by God and didn’t want to backtrack now. It had been hard enough getting this far.

He had fought to keep my friend Philippe Coutinho a few years back; I didn’t want the same to happen with me. Now, having finally accepted the inevitable, I took the step I had never wanted to take.

 

But no, Klopp didn’t insist. At that moment, it seemed like he already knew, or had come to terms with the idea. There would be no extension. It was over.

I praised the Boss a lot, said he was the best coach I had ever worked with, and thanked him greatly for the opportunity he had given me at Liverpool. I think he felt awkward and it was the most emotional moment of the conversation.

Right afterwards, he said he didn’t want to say goodbye yet. After all, there were still three months left in the season. That’s what I wanted to convey as well.

The need to keep going and fighting until the end was in the message I had written on my phone. For all that we were parting, our mindset was still the same. ‘Let’s wait a bit, Bobby. We’ll bid farewell later’.

There was football to play. We shook hands and I left the room.

* This is an exclusive extract from ‘Si Senor: My Liverpool Years’, the new memoir by Roberto Firmino, published by Quercus and available from November 9, 2023.

Order ‘Si Senor: My Liverpool Years’ here.
Jurgen Klopp, Roberto Firmino
More from This Is Anfield
Football – UEFA Europa League – Group E – Liverpool FC v Union SG
Jurgen Klopp happy to have turned down loan offers for “our own” Jarell Quansah
Firminoextractedit
Roberto Firmino exclusive: ‘I knew I would leave Liverpool – I just had to tell Klopp’
Football – UEFA Europa League – Group E – Toulouse FC v Liverpool FC – MD-1
Liverpool FC team news vs. Toulouse – Injuries and available squad
KloppLFC (1)
Can Liverpool set new Europa League points record on Klopp’s milestone day?
Fan Comments

logo_with_border
thisisanfield_text

Stats provided by FotMob
About
Advertising
Contact
Privacy
Get our free app

 

We are a Living Wage Employer
IPSO
Do not sell my personal information
Change consent
© Copyright This Is Anfield 2023

“I WANT TO PLAY FOR LIVERPOOL AGAIN”Ex -Liverpool Star Robert Firmino Force Move Back To Anfield After’SAUDI’ CONTROVERSY.

8°C

NEWS
ROYAL
CELEBRITY NEWS
TV & RADIO
SPORT
FINANCE
LIFE & STYLE
ENTERTAINMENT
COMMENT
SportFootball

UK
US
NEWS
World
UK
Politics
Royal
US
Science
Weather
Weird
History
Nature
Sunday
InYourArea
Clarifications and Corrections
SHOWBIZ & TV
TV & Radio
Celebrity News
SPORT
Football
Tennis
Transfer news
F1
Boxing
UFC
Cricket
Rugby
Other
Golf
NFL
Racing
NBA
COMMENT
Express Comment
Columnists
FINANCE
City & Business
Personal Finance
The Crusader
TRAVEL
Travel News
UK
Europe
America
Africa
Asia
Cruise
City breaks
Beach Holidays
ENTERTAINMENT
Films
Gaming
Music
Books
Theatre
Express Wins
LIFE & STYLE
Style
Diets
Health
Garden
Tech
Property
Life
Cars
Food

 

LOGIN / REGISTER
BOOKMARKS
NEWSLETTERS
DISCOUNT CODES
FUNERAL NOTICES
PUZZLES
HOROSCOPES
EXPRESS RATED
SHOP
OUR PAPER
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp faces unexpected new dilemma for Brentford match
Liverpool are under pressure to keep pace with Tottenham and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
By CHARLIE GORDON
PUBLISHED: 05:20, Fri, Nov 10, 2023
Liverpool train ahead of Toulouse Europa League clash
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp faces an unexpected shortage of midfielders ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Brentford, despite being spoilt for choice earlier this season. Two fresh injury concerns have placed Klopp on the back foot, leaving him with little room to manoeuvre when it comes to team selection.

RELATED ARTICLES

Liverpool’s next manager already sent plea as Jurgen Klopp given fresh dilemm…

Luis Diaz’s dad freed as helicopter flies Liverpool star’s father out of jungle
Speaking before Thursday’s Europa League showdown with Toulouse, Klopp confirmed that Curtis Jones would not be fit to return until after the international break due to a ‘low grade’ hamstring issue.

Ryan Gravenberch is also at risk of missing out after skipping the trip to France with a knee problem. Klopp stated that phasing the Dutchman back in for the Brentford match is a possibility, but fielding him from the start may be a stretch too far.

Separate injuries to Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic, as well as Alexis Mac Allister’s suspension, has left the Reds scraping the bottom of the barrell to put together a midfield three.

Don’t miss… Burnley star Lyle Foster takes break due to ‘issues around his mental wellbeing’

 

Jurgen Klopp only has a select few Liverpool midfielders to choose from against Brentford (Image: Getty)
Dominik Szoboszlai has been a revelation since signing from RB Leipzig during the summer, but his performance in the 1-1 draw with Luton Town at the weekend showed striking signs of fatigue.

Nevertheless, the midfielder shortage means that the Hungarian is likely to be handed a start. Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott are the other two prime candidates, while Cody Gakpo could be dropped back into midfield or Trent Alexander-Arnold could be moved in from the right.

Become an Express Premium member
Support fearless journalism
Read The Daily Express online, advert free
Get super-fast page loading

Start 30-day
FREE trial
Read more…
Liverpool have two Mbappe trump cards as Real Madrid ‘abandon’ transfer pursuit [TRANSFERS]
Erik ten Hag claims Man Utd were cheated out of Copenhagen victory [REACTION]
Man Utd legend Paul Scholes digs out Bruno Fernandes after Copenhagen defeat [LATEST]

RELATED ARTICLES

Liverpool have two obvious players for Jurgen Klopp to drop vs Toulouse

Liverpool target Khephren Thuram breaks silence on transfer interest

READ MORE

Toulouse boss takes leaf out of Copenhagen book with Liverpool warning
The relative lack of options has come from absolutely nowhere, with the Reds splashing out on four midfield recruits this summer. And selecting the right trio will be imperative for Klopp against Brentford, who have killed a few giants already this season.

Thomas Frank’s side came from behind to beat West Ham on Saturday – their third win in a row, having also beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on that run. A win at Old Trafford would have made it four on the trot, but for Scott McTominay’s stoppage-time heroics for Manchester United.

 

Liverpool star Curtis Jones will be out of action until after the international break (Image: Getty)
Klopp waved goodbye to a wave of experienced midfielders during the summer, with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho each trading Anfield for a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Meanwhile Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita all left on free transfers. Liverpool are currently third in the Premier League table, three points behind Manchester City with only one defeat to their name this term.

RELATED ARTICLES
Dodge Ryanair excess luggage fees with this ‘perfect’ bag for less than £15
Liverpool and Arsenal may be set for mammoth duel as chief expects ‘record sale’
Liverpool FCJurgen KloppBrentford FC
Most read in Football

Arsenal star leaves Chelsea hero red-faced as Sevilla scare epitomises ‘phenomenal’ player

Premier League clubs’ vote to block Ruben Neves to Newcastle transfer may backfire

Man Utd still yet to give a single minute to player Erik ten Hag is ‘impressed with’

Chelsea backed to get Ivan Toney discount and beat Arsenal to January transfer

Five players Newcastle can target instead as Prem rivals ‘block’ Ruben Neves deal

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp fumes as Toulouse fans hijack press conference after defeat

Liverpool let down by trio in Toulouse defeat as VAR drama erupts and Endo angers Man Utd

Luis Diaz’s dad freed as helicopter flies Liverpool star’s father out of jungle lair

England squad in full as Raheem Sterling snubbed again and Chelsea team-mate left out

Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes shows true colours as video emerges after Copenhagen loss

Rasmus Hojlund shares what Man Utd dressing room really think of Erik ten Hag after loss
Latest videos

Welcome to TGL – Inside Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s virtual rival to LIV Golf

All Creatures Great and Small tease Christmas special as James Herriot ‘misses’ birth

Stacey Dooley close to tears during baby scene in ‘hard to watch’ undertakers documentary

Liverpool have salt rubbed in wounds as UEFA guidelines on handballs come to light

BBC Strictly’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy says ‘I’m crumbling inside’ ahead of Blackpool decider
HOROSCOPESAPPSWEATHERPAPER
HOME
NEWS
WORLD
UK
POLITICS
ROYAL
US
SCIENCE
WEATHER
WEIRD
HISTORY
NATURE
SUNDAY
OBITUARIES
LATEST NEWS
SHOWBIZ & TV
TV & RADIO
CELEBRITY NEWS
SPORT
FOOTBALL
TENNIS
TRANSFER NEWS
F1
BOXING
UFC
CRICKET
RUGBY
GOLF
NFL
RACING
NBA
COMMENT
EXPRESS COMMENT
COLUMNISTS
FINANCE
CITY & BUSINESS
PERSONAL FINANCE
THE CRUSADER
TRAVEL
TRAVEL NEWS
UK
EUROPE
AMERICA
AFRICA
ASIA
CRUISE
CITY BREAKS
BEACH HOLIDAYS
EXPRESS RATED
ENTERTAINMENT
FILMS
GAMING
MUSIC
BOOKS
THEATRE
EXPRESS WINS
LIFE & STYLE
STYLE
DIETS
HEALTH
GARDEN
TECH
PROPERTY
LIFE
CARS
FOOD

TODAY’S PAPER

Friday, 10th November 2023
See today’s front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.

CONNECT WITH US

Find us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on InstagramFollow us on SnapchatCheck our YouTube channelSubscribe to our rss feed
Play Express WinsAppsHoroscopesPuzzlesShopDiscount codesPartner StoriesHopsmore Beer ClubBeauty Box SubscriptionPaperSitemapSite ArchiveAbout UsSocial MediaJournalistsHow to ComplainReport A Tech IssueAdvertisingAffiliate advertisingCookie PolicyCookies SettingsTerms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyCommunity StandardsSyndication and LicensingClarifications and CorrectionsDeveloped by Netro42InYourArea
IPSO RegulatedCopyright ©2023 Express Newspapers. “Daily Express” is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

Controversial VAR call denies Liverpool denied dramatic 97th minute comeback vs Toulouse
Chris Byfield

 

Published 19:50, 09 November 2023 GMT
| Last updated 20:19, 09 November 2023 GMT

Liverpool were denied a dramatic 97th minute equaliser for a controversial VAR decision in their Europa League clash against Toulouse on Thursday evening.

With Liverpool 3-2 down to Toulouse with just seconds on the clock, a scramble in the box led to defender Jarell Quansah sweeping the ball into the net and wheeling away in celebration.

However, after a lengthy VAR check Alexis Mac Allister was penalised for a handball in the build up and the goal was overturned.

While the ball had clearly bounced off the midfielder’s chest onto his arm, it was a long time before Quansah eventually scored.

ADVERT
It may have been wrongly ruled out however. Indeed, IFAB laws, as per Sky Sports, state that an “accidental handball that leads to a team-mate scoring a goal or having a goal-scoring opportunity will no longer be considered an offence”.

After the game a bemused Jurgen Klopp stormed onto the pitch, presumably to question the officials’ decision to overturn the late equaliser.

LOADING…

On TNT Sports however, Joe Cole argued that the referee was right to rule the goal out.

ADVERT
The former Liverpool midfielder said: “I think it was a handball.

“It was a strange situation because we were all wondering what was going to be the decision given the handball happened quite a while before the goal went in, but the ref got it right.

“Much to the dismay and frustration of Liverpool fans and players, it was the right call.”

Liverpool dropped points for the first time in Group E, but still remain at the summit, two points clear of Thursday night’s opponents and five clear of Union Saint-Gilloise.

ADVERT
While it was a night to forget in France, a win from either of their final group matches will secure a top-two spot for the Reds.

Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports

Topics: Football, Liverpool, Alexis Mac Allister, Europa League
Chris Byfield
More like this
Everyone spotted Darwin Nunez’s gesture after Liverpool’s 97th minute VAR controversy
Liverpool fans left baffled by IFAB law which ‘contradicts’ Alexis Mac Allister handball decision
Alexis Mac Allister has made clear to Liverpool the Copa Libertadores superstar they must sign in January
Jurgen Klopp furious after press conference interrupted by jubilant Toulouse fans
CHOSEN FOR YOU

Football
Everyone spotted Darwin Nunez’s gesture after Liverpool’s 97th minute VAR controversy
6 hours ago

Boxing
Two sport stars feature ‘alongside Nigel Farage’ in I’m A Celebrity 2023 line-up
8 hours ago
MOST READ

Football
Manchester United blow 0-2 lead against FC Copenhagen, they have FALLEN APART
a day ago

Football
BREAKING: Copenhagen come from behind to beat Man United 4-3 in incredible game
a day ago
Advertise
Terms
Privacy & Cookies
LADbible Group
LADbible
Tyla
GAMINGbible
UNILAD
License Our Content
About Us & Contact
Jobs
Download our app

dailystarLoad mobile navigation

VAR expert names five reasons why Alexis Mac Allister’s handball was a ‘terrible decision’
Football fans were left baffled by VAR’s decision to overturn Jarell Quansah’s late equalisder for Liverpool – and one VAR expert slammed the decision, but explained why it was allowed to stand

SHARE
ByWill SchofieldSports Reporter
Bookmark

Alexis Mac Allister was deemed to have handled the ball in the build-up

A VAR expert has slammed the ‘terrible decision’ that led to Liverpool’s late equaliser being chalked off for a handball on Alexis Mac Allister.

Jarell Quansah thought he had secured the Reds a point on Thursday evening, having been 3-1 down to Toulouse at one point, in the 97th minute. However, after a lengthy check, it was deemed that Mac Allister handled the ball in the build-up.

Dale Johnson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “So many reasons why Mac Allister handball is a terrible VAR decision: Arm close to body, being withdrawn not moved to ball, high on arm, not deliberate, way back in play.”

READ MORE: Steve McManaman ‘sounds like he’s about to cry’ over disallowed Liverpool goal

READ MORE: Liverpool fans blast after ‘embarrassing’ Europa League display before VAR chaos

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Watch TNT Sports on Amazon Prime here
Sign Up to Amazon and TNT to get a free trial

As well as the Champions League, TNT Sports will also be offering sports fans access to games across the Premier League, Europa League, Serie A and much more.

You can also watch the biggest events in boxing, UFC, WWE and get exclusive action from MLB.

£29.99 per month on top of £8.99 per month Amazon Prime subscriptionAMAZON
BUY NOW
However, Johnson then pointed out why the goal was allowed to stand, and why it wouldn’t in the Premier League. He added: “But this is UEFA, with goals disallowed for any handball in attack phase.”

PROMOTED STORIES
UEFA rules state that any handball during an attack will result in the goal being chalked off. UEFA Football Board put to UEFA that a handball that was a result of a deflection of the same player shouldn’t count – but it is not an official law.

Liverpool were stunned by the French side (Image: AP)
Jurgen Klopp was unhappy with the decision in his post-match press conference: “I only saw the video back and for me, it’s not a handball, but how can I decide that?

“Yes, the ball goes to the chest and I don’t see contact with the arm, to be honest. Maybe they had a different picture than I had. It’s pretty long ago before we score the goal, [I was thinking] ‘where’s the free-kick?’

“That’s interesting, we could talk about that. I heard, I didn’t see it, that there could have been a penalty for us in another situation, I don’t know.”

Follow Daily Star
Facebook
Twitter
Comment
MORE ON
Europa LeagueLiverpool FC
SPORT
ALL
TOP STORIES
JUNGLE FEVER: ‘Full line-up’ revealed for new series of I’m A Celeb – from EastEnders beauty to sport icon and Masterchef star
I’M A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE
Katie Price blasts boozed-up fans wreaking havoc on her £80 ticket makeup classes
KATIE PRICE
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp rages as press conference held next to rowdy Toulouse fans
JURGEN KLOPP
Van driver caught watching porn and ‘spanking the monkey’ at wheel gets suspended
DRIVING
‘I wear bikini on city’s most dangerous street – it’s better being naked than clothed’
SEX CONFESSIONS
Top Gear Freddie Flintoff’s co-star shares health update after horror crash
TOP GEAR
Premier League to introduce ‘bodycams’ on players for this time this weekend
PREMIER LEAGUE
A Place in the Sun’s Laura Hamilton dubbed ‘hottest lady on TV’ in racy thigh-split dress
LAURA HAMILTON
Burnley star living in specialist care and taking football break over mental health
PREMIER LEAGUE
Strictly’s Vito Coppola fuels Ellie Leach romance rumours with intimate nickname
STRICTLY COME DANCING
Holly Willoughby supported as she ‘returns’ to social media after This Morning exit
HOLLY WILLOUGHBY
Abbey Clancy strips nude in the shower and rubs lotion on her body in steamy advert
ABBEY CLANCY
NEWS
SPORT
SHOWBIZ
TV
TECH
IN YOUR AREA
LIFE & STYLE
TRAVEL
PICS
FOLLOW US
Contact Us
About Us
Work for us
Discount Codes
Crosswords
Play Star Wins
MemoryLane
Beauty Box Subscription
Community Standards
Competition Rules
Cookie Notice
Corrections and Clarifications
How to Complain
Our Brands
Privacy Notice
RSS feeds
Terms and Conditions
Newsletter Signup
Syndication & Licensing
Subscribe to Daily Star and Daily Star On Sunday newspapers
Subscribe to tablet edition
Do not sell or share my data
© 2023 a Reach plc subsidiary

Frank Magri restores Toulouse’s double lead after the own goal in the 73rd minute!🥶Toulouse 2-1 Liverpool (73’ own goal)Toulouse 3-1 Liverpool (76’)

Frank Magri restores Toulouse’s double lead after the own goal in the 73rd minute!🥶Toulouse 2-1 Liverpool (73’ own goal)Toulouse 3-1 Liverpool (76’)