Firm’s a big deal

ROBERTO STAY IS VITAL

JURGEN KLOPP has told Roberto Firmino that Liverpool is the perfect club for him to play his best football.

Klopp wants Firmino to commit his future by signing a new long-term deal.

After seeing Philippe Coutinho jump ship for Barcelona, there are fears that Firmino could also have his head turned.

Important

But the Liverpool boss confirmed the club have held talks with the Brazil forward, 26, and Senegal ace Sadio Mane about new contracts.

And Klopp believes playing Firmino as a No.9 could be enough to get him to sign on the dotted line.

Asked how important it is for Firmino to agree a new deal, Klopp said: “It is very important for both sides.

“Everything we are doing, the way we play, the way we give him the opportunity to play, he deserves that.

“Other teams can say, ‘He’s really good’. ® But it is not sure they will play the same way and use him as a No.9 or whether they’ll use him out on the wings.

“It is important to keep these players at a good age and when there is still space for improvement.

“There is no doubt we want to agree new contracts. But they all have contracts.

“It’s not that their contracts end in the summer.”

Firmino stepping up has been one of the reasons Liverpool’s form has actually improved after Coutinho’s £140m move.

Liverpool have since lost just one Premier League game ahead of today’s clash with Newcastle.

Klopp added: “It was always clear when Phil didn’t play that we had to do the job differently, to spread the responsibility between the other players.

“You can never be sure it will work but now, a few weeks on, I am really happy with the reaction of the boys. They have stepped up.”