Farewell Firmino

I never really thought the day would come where Roberto Firmino didn’t suit up for the Reds anymore. I can remember back in 2015 hearing the news of him signing for the club and immediately hopping on FIFA 15 to check his ultimate team card. Elite ball knowledge. I knew nothing about him except he was 23 and Brazilian. I then watched some highlight comps of his time with Hoffenheim and that had me super excited for what he can bring to Liverpool. He quickly became one of my favorite players because of his skills, his flair and the way he had defenders looking STOOPID.

Since his early days under Brendan Rodgers were far from the levels he reached with Klopp, I never really deeped just how good he would become. It still shocks me that he was a Rodgers signing in the first place. Once Klopp came though, man oh man. He says he already knew about him while he was managing Dortmund so once he came into the Liverpool team and he was there, he was eager to get to work. As soon as Klopp made some more signings and spent time with the team he put Bobby in that false 9 role which would change the trajectory of his career for the best.

Bobby at the false nine is just one of the best player’s I’ve ever seen with the ball. I know the common narrative that is often overused is that without Bobby, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah don’t shine, but it’s true. First of all his technical ability is second to none, he was a pressing monster in the system, he had bangers in his locker that he could whip out at any time and who can forget the iconic celebrations. Not to mention those pearly white Bobby Dazzlers.

He was everything I wanted to be when I was a young teenage footballer. I remember so many of his goals, celebrations, skills like they were yesterday. That chip against Crystal Palace, the outside the box rocket against Stoke (He coulda done it on a cold rainy night but it was a day game), that Arsenal skill run + goal where he dropped like four defenders I mean come on. Firmino honestly owned Arsenal at one point he also had that upper benjamins strike against Petr Cech, one of the best and consistent goalies the prem has seen.

Don’t get me started on his celebrations (I’m gonna start). His one eye celly against PSG after someone I think poked his eye and he couldn’t train or something–unreal. The classic karate kicks after each goal were always a joy to watch. When he did his lil dancy dance with Coutinho (I will always love you Phil) and also struck a pose with him and Mane–cold ass celebration!!

Now that the season’s over and it’s confirmed he’s leaving It’s one of the hardest things to deal with as a fan. I love this club and have since I was 13. Bobby has been there for like eight of the 10 seasons I’ve been following Liverpool. He brought me so much joy and only joy. There was never a time I was disappointed with him or sad or angry about how he played. He always delivered a smile to my face even if it’s just because of a backheel flick or something. This flair set him apart from any other player and his production, what he meant to Liverpool in their best years between 2017-2022 (we don’t count 2020-2021) and his attitude every game just made me fall in love.

Bobby will go down as a Liverpool Legend and the best Brazilian to grace the Premier League (based on goals scored by Brazilians in the prem– go yell at a brick wall if you think Thiago Silva was the best Brazilian, I’ve seen that argument before). Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira, thank you for everything. 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Liverpool FC