'Jurgen Klopp's decision was final straw and I knew I had to quit Liverpool'

Roberto Firmino has revealed that it was a late substitution against Wolves that convinced him to depart Liverpool.

The skillful striker wrapped up his successful stint at Anfield in June 2023, registering 111 goals and providing 75 assists over 392 matches. During this period, he amassed an impressive collection of titles with the Reds, including the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup.

Taking his talents to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ahli, Brazilian ace Firmino unveiled in his autobiography 'Si Senor: My Liverpool Years' the pivotal moments leading up to his exit from the Merseyside club.

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On his 33rd birthday, Firmino shared: "The straw that broke the camel's back was a match against Wolves, in which I came on as a substitute in the last minute. That was it. Right there, I understood.

"As we say in Brazil, the penny dropped. I knew now. I called my agents. Roger Wittmann and Christian Rapp met with me for a face-to-face talk. We left the living room and went to my room: just me, Christian, Roger, and Larissa, no distractions. Christian and Roger were perfectly transparent about everything that was happening and the club's view of my future.

"It wasn't a war. It was just a difference in understanding about what I could offer to Liverpool. I reflected a lot and realized that God's plan was to take me somewhere else. The signs were all there since that conversation with Pastor Daniel in Maceio. I had been stubborn.

"God didn't want me to stay in Liverpool, but I was insisting. I didn't listen. But I couldn't avoid it anymore. It was time to accept. I decided it was time to seek another challenge for myself, another purpose. My time at Liverpool had come to an end."

Despite his legendary status for the Reds, the 33-year-old hasn't replicated his sparkling Liverpool performances in Saudi Arabia, tallying 19 goal contributions in 43 matches so far. After Firmino's switch, Saudi Arabian clubs have not slowed down, with Premier League talent continuing to move there, buoyed by Cristiano Ronaldo's headline-grabbing transfer to Al-Nassr in 2022.

Joining a glamourous lineup, Firmino is now part of an all-star forward line alongside Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney, the latter snapped up in a big-money £40m deal. Despite their firepower, the Firminos team has made a sluggish start, amassing only seven points from their opening five fixtures, ranking them seventh in the league.