Jurgen Klopp saw his request to keep Roberto Firmino and James Milner at Anfield for at least another season rejected by Liverpool. When their contracts expired, the former Reds left the club on free transfers.
In 2015, Firmino and Milner joined Liverpool during the same summer transfer window, and Klopp joined the team a few months later. The former England international joined on a free transfer from Manchester City. While the Brazilian forward cost £35 million (€41 million) to sign from TSG Hoffenheim.
During their eight years on Merseyside, the two would go on to make over 650 appearances for the club in all competitions combined. In the end, they went their separate ways this past summer.
With Brighton and Hove Albion, where he recently inked a contract extension, Milner chose to stay in the Premier League. He’s getting close to breaking the record for all-time league appearances.
Firmino agreed to sign with Al-Ahli after receiving a sizable offer from the Saudi Pro League outfit. He has eight goals in 29 appearances in the Middle East. While Milner has made 15 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls.
It was made clear last year that Klopp was keen to keep both players at Anfield. It doesn’t matter now because the German is set to depart when the season ends. But he will oversee his last match in Sunday’s encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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According to The Times as claimed by Liverpool.com, Klopp was in disagreement with the club’s leadership because he was pushing for new contracts to be extended to Firmino and Milner.
In the end, Liverpool rejected the idea and, as was already mentioned, let both players depart on free transfers.
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