Liverpool 'prioritising new Roberto Firmino contract'

Liverpool have reportedly prioritised a new contract for Brazil international Roberto Firmino.

Since joining the Reds from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015, Firmino has gone on to play a key role in Liverpool's success under Jurgen Klopp.

During his time at Anfield, Firmino has won seven trophies, including one Premier League and one Champions League title.

Firmino has scored nine goals and provided four assists across 21 appearances this season, but he has not played since the World Cup break due to injury.

Those performances have taken him to a total of 107 goals and 78 assists in 348 appearances for the Merseyside club.

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With Liverpool struggling in ninth place in the Premier League table, there is a suggestion that a rebuild is needed to improve the club's results on the pitch.

Despite being out of contract at the end of the season, Firmino still appears to be part of Liverpool's plans for the future.

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, the 31-year-old is expected to be offered a contract extension until 2025.

The report claims that clubs from Saudi Arabia were interested in signing Firmino, but he is keen to continue playing at the highest level.

Although Liverpool want to retain Firmino's services, they are yet to offer new deals to Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner, who are all out of contract at the end of the season.

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Despite struggling with injuries, Klopp claimed prior to Tuesday's FA Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers that he did not expect any more arrivals this month.

The Reds are currently without the services of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz due to calf and knee injuries respectively.

Klopp is also unable to call upon Firmino (calf), Arthur Melo (thigh) and Virgil van Dijk (hamstring), although Darwin Nunez could return at the weekend after missing the last two games.

Liverpool bounced back from Saturday's 3-0 Premier League away defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion with a 1-0 victory in the third round of the FA Cup against Wolves thanks to Harvey Elliott's first-half strike.

The narrow win sets up another away meeting with Brighton, but Liverpool's immediate focus will be on Saturday's home game against Chelsea with the two sides level on 28 points in mid-table.