'Firmino deserves Liverpool contract extension'

Liverpool Football Club coach Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on his Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino and said that he deserves a contract renewal with a lot of space to improve.

The 26-year-old is already tied at Liverpool with a contract that runs until June 2020. However, Klopp feels due to the brilliant work rate Firmino has produced on the field he deserves to stay at the club for a much longer period.

"It is very important for both sides," Klopp was quoted as saying by The Guardian on Friday.

"Everything we are doing, the way we play, the way we give him the opportunity constantly to play, he deserves that. He deserves that because his work rate is outstanding but it helped him a lot to step up.

"He became a different player here. Other teams can say: 'Hmmm, he's really good' but it is not sure they will play the same way and use him as a nine or a 10 or they'll use him out on the wings," the German tactician added.

"It is never sure but it is important to keep these players who are at a good age and when there is still space for improvement."

--IANS

sam/vm