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Jurgen Klopp believes an in-form Roberto Firmino can help soften the blow of Liverpool losing Philippe Coutinho earlier this month.
Much was made of the loss of Coutinho to Barcelona but the numbers being generated by his compatriot may mean the Reds move on quicker from that £142million sale than anyone anticipated.
Firmino has long been a favourite of manager Jurgen Klopp because of his hard running and ability to press at the head of the attack and despite initial criticism he was not a centre-forward, the 26-year-old is also delivering where it matters.
Show all 43 1 /43Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Luke Shaw Following strong criticism from his own manager and pundits, after a series of long-term injuries, the former-Saint looks set to leave Old Trafford after four seasons that has seen him make only 53 appearances for United.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ander Herrera Manchester United have a one-year option they can invoke in the Spaniard’s contract should they wish to extend his stay at Old Trafford. Nemanja Matic’s arrival has limited the midfielder’s opportunities with the majority of his appearances this season coming from the bench.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Jack Wilshere Having struggled with injuries for years the Arsenal academy graduate has played in Arsenal’s previous four games. Undoubtedly talented, should the midfielder reject a proposed contract extension from the London club he will have plenty of Premier League sides eager to sign him at the end of the season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Emre Can Heavily linked with a move to Juventus, the former-Bayern Munich midfielder has been frustrated by Jurgen Klopp’s rotation policy in a congested Liverpool midfield, and with the impending arrival of Naby Keita from Leipzig in the summer, sees his opportunities further diminishing.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Marouane Fellaini Struggling for game time in a United midfield consisting of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, and Nemanja Matic, the Belgian may be tempted to move in search of first team opportunities.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Franck Ribery The Champions League winner, now 34, has struggled with injury this season, and has understandably looked rusty upon his return to the Bayern starting eleven.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Daley Blind Having made only 13 appearances for Mourinho’s side in all competitions this season, the versatile Dutchman has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ashley Young Following his conversion to full-back by manager Jose Mourinho, the 32-year-old has scored twice and provided four assists with his dangerous delivery from out wide. Teams in the Premier League will be keen to secure the former Aston Villa player’s experience next term.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Giorgio Chiellini At 33 the Italian centre-back is still a world-class player, and with less than a year on his contract, will surely be a bargain for whoever secures his services next summer.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Zlatan Ibrahimovic Undoubted class, but at 36, whether the Swede represents value for money is another matter, with the striker one of the highest paid players in the Premier League.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Fernando Torres The former Liverpool striker has had to settle for a place on the bench since his return to Atletico Madrid, behind Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro in the pecking order. A move away surely beckons for the 33-year-old.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Arjen Robben Bayern’s other veteran winger has also had an injury-stricken season in Bavaria, though has still managed to score three and assist four in all competitions. The Dutchman is certainly still a threat when fully fit.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Iker Casillas Having won the Champions League three times, Casillas is certainly a high-quality goalkeeper. Could the Spanish veteran be a good signing for a top-European club?
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Hatem Ben Arfa Talent in abundance though lacking work rate, teams interested in the attacker will hope they can see the player find the form he displayed at OGC Nice, scoring 18 goals and assisting 7 in 2015/16.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ezequiel Lavezzi The stocky Argentine forward has been on fire this season in the Chinese Super League, scoring 20 goals and assisting 19 in 27 games. A return to Europe is surely on the cards for the former-Napoli man.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joel Robles Displaced from the Everton starting line-up by £30m summer arrival Jordan Pickford, the Spaniard will be eager to guarantee himself more game-time should next year.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Juanfran The Atletico Madrid legend, now 32, is under increasing competition from Croatian full-back Sime Vrsaljko and could be tempted by a move before retirement.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Amin Younes The Ajax forward, currently sidelined with a serious knee injury, had an excellent season in 2016/17 and was rewarded with his first Germany cap by Joachim Lowe in June this year.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Andre-Pierre Gignac The French target-man has enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career with Mexican side Tigres UANL, scoring a goal in every two games in all competitions. Proven in Ligue 1 with Marseille, the striker is capable of succeeding in Europe.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Yohan Cabaye Capable of dictating games at the top-level, the Frenchman could surely be a wildcard for a top side in the Premier League next season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Mario Balotelli The enigmatic Italian striker has reignited his stop-start career in Nice with 33 goals in 49 appearances for the French side.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joao Moutinho Winner of Ligue 1 with AS Monaco last year, the 31-year-old midfielder is into the final year of his contract.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Carlos Vela The Mexican wideman has found goals hard to come by this season, scoring just once this season for Real Sociedad.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Yaya Toure After years of speculation that Toure would leave Manchester City, the Ivorian’s time at City finally seems to coming to an end.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Stefan de Vrij Liverpool have been linked to the Netherland’s international in recent weeks as Jurgen Klopp seeks to add quality to his defence.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Neven Subotic The Bundesliga winner has made only four appearances this season, often failing to even make the bench for Dortmund.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Max Meyer The 22-year-old playmaker Meyer has been consistently linked with Liverpool, Tottenham and Barcelona and has so far refused any contract offers made by Schalke.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Dani Garcia The Spanish midfielder has been a mainstay for SD Eibar over the past three seasons. Offering a goal-threat from midfield with his long-distance shooting and set-piece ability, Garcia could prove a shrewd acquisition.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Achraf Hakimi The Moroccan full back has deputised well for Dani Carvajal in La Liga this season, and has shown glimpses of his potential at the Bernabeu.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Stephan Lichsteiner Disappointing performances for the Bianconeri this season, and added competition from Mattia de Sciglio have led to rumours that the Swiss defender could be set to leave Turin in January.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Bernard The pacey winger has enjoyed a four year spell in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, though in not signing a new contract, may have his heart set on playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Diego Reyes The 25-year-old defender has guided FC Porto to the top of the Primeira Liga, conceding only six goals in the process.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Enes Unal Still only 20, the Turkish forward has seen his career stall since moving to Spain from Manchester City. Should the striker fail to sign a new contract with Villareal, a move back to the Eredivisie could prove fruitful for a striker with vast potential.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ivan Marcano The Porto centre-back, also capable of playing left-back, has been the subject of interest from Everton following a number of impressive displays for the Iberian club.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joao Miranda Former Atletico Madrid star Miranda has started all but one league game for Inter Milan this term helping his side keep eight clean sheets so far. Should he fail to renew his contract with the Nerazzuri, he will be a top acquisition for any side.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Kepa Arrizabalaga The 23-year-old goalkeeper is yet to sign a new deal with Athletic Bilbao, and is rumoured to be close to agreeing a move to Real Madrid for €20m.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Kwadwo Asamoah The five-time Serie A winner is capable of playing in a variety of positions and would certainly be a valuable squad player for top sides in Europe.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Mark Uth The 26-year-old striker has been in excellent form for Hoffenheim this season, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Pedro Leon Injured since the summer, the experienced right winger would be a gamble with such little game time in the past year. If he can prove his fitness, the winger is capable of creating chances from wide areas, with six assists last season in La Liga.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Santi Cazorla Blighted by serious injuries to his Achilles and having had surgery nine times in 14 months, the diminutive midfielder will hope to regain his fitness to restart his career.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Zlatko Junuzovic The Werder Bremen creative midfielder has assisted 49 in 182 appearances, scoring 20 goals in the process.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Rafinha The experienced Brazilian right-back is entering the last year of his contract with Bayern Munich. Capable of deputising at the top level, and with invaluable experience in the Champions league, the 32-year old could provide excellent cover for an elite European side next season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Sergio Canales The Spanish playmaker is yet to agree a new contract and has proven, when fit, that he is capable of playing at the top level.
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His goal in an outstanding performance against Manchester City last weekend took his tally for the season to 17, 10 of which have come in the Premier League.
In 88 league appearances since his £29million move from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015, Firmino has scored 31 times and provided 19 assists.
He is only 11 goals short of becoming the Premier League's highest-scoring Brazilian - a record currently held by Coutinho who managed 41 in 152 (with 35 assists) albeit from a deeper position.
In the space of a few weeks a wider audience has become more aware of Firmino's qualities but the praise now being heaped on the forward does not surprise Klopp.
"I don't think that it's possible that somebody could get more credit, compliments, praise, whatever you want to say as Roberto gets from us," said the Reds boss ahead of Monday's trip to bottom side Swansea. "But it's well deserved - everything. He's a fantastic football player. You see him in training and think 'what a work ethic, what an attitude', and he brings it on the pitch as well.
Firmino has been in fine form for Liverpool this season (Getty) "He never rests. You have to pull him out, you have to tell him 'come on, stop, sit here, calm'. I hear in the stadium (Anfield) that people like him - good idea - but I have no real idea if anybody thinks he's not important or whatever. I'm not too interested, to be honest.
"I'm pretty sure if I give the players the opportunity to have a free choice in training (to) build teams by themselves Bobby is one of the first they would pick. (It's) nice to have him around - better to have him than in the other team. That's maybe the best thing you can say about a football player."
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