Journalist Jacques Talbot claims that Liverpool want to recruit Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio to replace the departing Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian international has made the decision to leave Anfield at the end of the current campaign. Firmino joined Liverpool in the summer of 2015, and was one of the vital cogs of Reds’ manager Jurgen Klopp’s attack which was essentially designed around him.
The striker, who’s contract expires in the summer has decided to leave as a free agent, but hasn’t held talks with any potential suitors till now as per his agent. On the other hand, Liverpool have already marked Asensio, who will also become a free agent at the end of the season, as Firmino’s successor. The 26-year-old’s frustration over lack of gametime at Real is no secret, which has enforced him to consider his future at Bernabeu.
Talbot claims Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders is a ‘big fan’ of Asensio
With speculations hovering above his Liverpool future in recent months, Firmino announced his decision of leaving the club at the end of the season last month. His decision came despite Klopp constantly claiming that he wants the veteran striker to continue at the club. However, with just 21 starts in the Premier League since the start of the last season, it was evident that Firmino has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield.
Moreover, the additions of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo in back to back transfer windows has further cut down Firmino’s gametime at the club despite his brilliant 10 goals and 5 assists in 27 games this season. The Brazilian was also part of the famous and the formidable attacking trio that also included Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. In 354 appearances across competitions for Liverpool, Firmino has tallied 108 goals and 79 assists, winning every significant trophy in the process.
However, its time for the striker to bid farewell, and Liverpool it seems too have started searching for his replacement. Asensio, according to Talbot, is their number one target since the Spaniard fits every bill. He would available for free in the summer and is still 26, five years younger than the departing Firmino. Asensio is capable of playing in multiple roles across the attack as well as in a number-10 role. Revealing about Liverpool’s interest in the Real Madrid ace, Talbot said:
“..There is genuine interest in Marco Asensio. The Real Madrid attacker is a free agent in the summer and would represent a cheap option and something of a replacement for the departing Roberto Firmino, though the Spaniard would play as part of a dual No.10 if he was to join. Interest is only tentative at this stage and though the Reds have been linked to the player for a number of years, we are told Pep Lijnders is a big fan.”
Talbot claims Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders is a ‘big fan’ of Asensio, which could heavily influence a deal. Lijnders’ opinion apparently has a lot of weightage in decision-making at Anfield, with Klopp too relying frequently on his assistant’s word. With the Reds planning a summer overhaul, as claimed by Klopp himself, Asensio could well become a part of it. Liverpool travel to Madrid next week as they hope to overturn a three-goal deficit against the Los Blancos in the second leg of the Champions League last-16.