Roberto Firmino sends heartfelt letter as Fabinho expresses shock at Liverpool forward's departure

Roberto Firmino sends heartfelt letter as Fabinho expresses shock at Liverpool forward’s departure

Roberto Firmino has thanked Liverpool fans for the “incredible” ovation he received following the Reds’ season-ending match against Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday.

The Brazilian announced earlier this year that he would be leaving Merseyside after an eight-year tenure to explore a new chapter in his career when his contract expired. It follows a successful career at Anfield that saw him win the Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup, Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup, and Community Shield.

Firmino, along with fellow Anfield departees Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, and vice-captain James Milner, was given an emotional farewell by the 54,000 Kopties packed inside Anfield on Saturday, before celebrating his extraordinary career with the Reds during a private party with his family, friends, and team-mates some 24 hours later.

On Thursday, the 31-year-old thanked his 14.7 million Instagram followers for celebrating his career over the weekend, which coincided with the unveiling of a mural on Rockfield Road.

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Fabinho confesses he was taken aback by his countryman Roberto Firmino’s decision to quit Liverpool.

The Brazilian forward has ended his glittering eight-year association with the Reds. His final appearance for the club will be this weekend, when Jurgen Klopp’s team travels to already-relegated Southampton.

Firmino, whose contract expires this summer, will leave no mistake about how much he is loved by his teammates and fans. That much was evident before and after he scored the Reds’ equalizer in the 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa on Saturday. It was the 31-year-old’s last game at Anfield.

Firmino will be joined at the departure door by fellow Champions League and Premier League winners James Milner, Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita, whose contracts end next month.

But it’s the talismanic forward’s impending exit that has elicited the greatest outpouring of emotion. In an interview with Sky Sports News, Fabinho confessed that Firmino’s departure surprised the team.