Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that talks are ongoing over a new contract for Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino.
The former Hoffenheim man is due to become a free agent at the end of the season and can begin pre-contract talks with foreign clubs from the January transfer window.
Firmino struggled to impose himself on the team in an injury-hit 2021-22 season, but he has re-established himself as a key member of Klopp's attack this term.
Firmino has scored nine goals and set up four more in 21 appearances in all competitions this term and opened the scoring in Saturday's 3-1 win over Southampton.
Liverpool have been expected to reward the 31-year-old with a contract extension, and Klopp has confirmed that such discussions are taking place behind the scenes.
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"Normal conversations [are] happening as well, so we will see what happens there," Klopp told reporters after Saturday's game, while also reacting to the striker's Brazil World Cup squad snub.
"It was a blow, definitely," Klopp added. "You couldn't see it in training but definitely you could see, it was clear. It was a blow for me to be honest.
"So I am in between, I am happy we have Bobby for more time, but I think he deserves it, I think he deserves everything in the world to be 100% honest.
"And it shows just how incredibly good and talented this Brazil squad is if you can leave a player like Bobby Firmino out, madness.
"Yes of course, we will talk. We have already and maybe we will again but he's fine. It's how everyone can imagine, he is very disappointed about the fact, but that is it."
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Brazil manager Tite has preferred the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison and Pedro as his attacking options for the 2022 World Cup, leaving 55-cap Firmino at home.
The Liverpool man has now come up with 107 strikes and 78 assists in 348 appearances for Liverpool since arriving in the summer of 2015, only three months before Klopp's appointment.
Darwin Nunez was also on target twice against Southampton as Liverpool went into the World Cup break on a high note, but they could be knocked down to seventh in the table if Brighton & Hove Albion beat Aston Villa on Sunday.
A personal milestone was also hit for two Reds players on Saturday, as James Milner became just the fourth player to make 600 appearances in the Premier League after Gareth Barry, Ryan Giggs and Frank Lampard.
Meanwhile, Andy Robertson recorded his 53rd Premier League assist to equal the highest in the competition for a defender alongside Leighton Baines.
Ben Knapton
