LIVERPOOL star Roberto Firmino would be the perfect striker for Barcelona.
That is according to ESPN FC pundit and former Arsenal forward Paul Mariner.
Firmino has scored just nine goals in 26 Premier League appearances so far this season.
However, he has provided four assists and Mariner believes his link-up play would suit
Barcelona.
Mariner was asked who Barca should look to sign as their next centre-forward.
And he put forward the Brazil star, admitting it would be a blow for Liverpool fans to lose
him.
Firmino has become a crucial element to Klopp's side and lays the carpet perfectly for players
like Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to shine.
The Liverpool striker is not afraid of paving the way for others to be in the spotlight
rather than himself which is perhaps what makes him so admirable.
Suarez, who joined the Catalan giants from the Reds in 2014, has been hugely successful
in Spain scoring an impressive 168 goals from 230 appearances for La Blaugrana in all competitions.
This season he's managed to rack up 15 goals in 22 appearances, despite many people believing
his ability is decreasing with age.
With Suarez turning 32 this January, there have been countless reports stating Barcelona
are on the lookout for a potential replacement for the Uruguay international.
Mariner believes the La Liga front-runners need look no further than Firmino.
The Daily Star quoted the pundit, saying: "I know that I will upset all of the Liverpool
fans, but just look at what he does.
Just look at some of his link up play and I think that would be perfect for Barcelona.
"I know Coutinho hasn't done it at Barca but Firmino is a different player.
Firmino does it all for me.
He is tremendous."
Barcelona were rumoured to have been interested in the Brazilian last October as they too
thought he would complement Lionel Messi perfectly.
However, Liverpool's number nine recently signed a long-term contract with the club
so any transfer would likely cost the Spanish champions a massive transfer figure.
LIVERPOOL have no interest in selling Mohamed Salah
- even if it means missing out on Juventus star Paulo Dybala.
The Egyptian has been a sensation since joining from Roma, scoring 44 goals in his debut campaign
last season.
And Salah has continued his prolific exploits this term, joint-leading the Premier League
scoring charts alongside Sergio Aguero.
Liverpool have become accustomed to losing their talismen to European giants in recent
seasons.
Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho have both been poached by Barcelona and reports this
week have suggested that Juventus are planning on using Dybala as a makeweight in a deal
to add Salah to their star-studded squad.
But the Merseyside club insist they're no longer a selling club after turning a profit
under Fenway Sports Group.
"Liverpool are no longer a selling club," a football finance source told the Mirror.
"Despite what they have said in the past, when other big European clubs have come in
with big money offers they have been forced to sell.
"That is no longer the case.
Any club that posts profits of £125m can resist any offers for their top players."
Salah is not the only Liverpool player to shine this season, with Sadio Mane and Roberto
Firmino flourishing up front alongside him.
And despite Liverpool's intention to keep their best players, ESPN FC pundit Paul Mariner
believes Firmino is ideal for Barcelona.
"I think, the way that they play, Firmino," he said when asked who the La Liga giants
should replace Suarez with long-term.
"I know that I will upset all of the Liverpool fans, but just look at what he does.
"Just look at some of his link up play and I think that would be perfect for Barcelona.
"I know Coutinho hasn't done it at Barca but Firmino is a different player.
"Firmino for me does it all.
He is tremendous."
Liverpool return to action on Tuesday as they welcome Bayern Munich to Anfield in the Champions
League.
The Brazilian will be playing behind a Liverpool defence with a difference against Bayern Munich
on Tuesday.
Alisson will be starting a competitive Liverpool match behind a defence which doesn't contain
Virgil van Dijk for the first time against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, but the Brazilian
insists he's confident of his side's chances.
Van Dijk is suspended for the visit of the German giants in the Champions League last-16,
first leg tie following his booking in the Reds' final match of the group stages against
Napoli.
The Dutchman - who is still the most expensive defender in the world at £75million - has
started every one of Liverpool's Premier League and Champions League matches this season,
as has Alisson.
While both missed the Reds' only matches in the FA and Carabao Cups this season, Van Dijk's
only absence from a Premier League game was for the final 35 minutes of the 3-0 win over
his former club Southampton in September, when he was withdrawn with a minor rib injury.
With Joe Gomez out injured and question marks over the availability of Dejan Lovren, Liverpool
could line up with Joel Matip and midfielder Fabinho at the heart of their defence.
But Alisson says he isn't worried.
"All the defenders have played so when one comes in and one leaves, we don't feel that
loss because we're all used to each other," the former Roma man told Premier League Productions.
"That the backline are all able to communicate with each other, and know each other really
well, is vital for any team.
"Once you've cracked it, you've got it – and we seem confident."
LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp is interested in signing Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt, according
to reports.
Liverpool manager Klopp is set to splash the cash this summer, regardless of whether or
not the Reds pip Manchester City and Tottenham to the Premier League title.
De Ligt, meanwhile, is turning heads at Ajax with Europe's elite all monitoring the 19-year-old.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal have all been linked with De Ligt, whose performances
for Ajax have drawn comparisons with legendary Dutchman Ronald Koeman.
And The Sun say Liverpool are keen to sign De Ligt, with Klopp eyeing another defender
to partner Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds have been reliant on Van Dijk this season.
And while Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren have impressed, neither are on the same level as
their team-mate.
As a result, The Sun say Liverpool are in the race to secure De Ligt's signature.
But where he ends up remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are another club who have been tipped to lure the teenager away
from Ajax when the transfer window reopens.
But they will supposedly prioritise a forward over De Ligt.
Despite Liverpool's interest, they may face a fight to sign the teenager.
And Ajax star Andre Onana has claimed De Ligt would prefer to join Barcelona, instead of
moving to the Premier League.
"Like de Jong, he too would like to go to Barcelona," he said.
"I've talked to both of De Ligt and Frenkie De Jong over and over."
De Jong sealed a move from Ajax to Barcelona in January.
But whether he is joined by De Ligt remains
to
be seen.
As reported by The Mirror, Liverpool are amongst a number of clubs interested in signing Benfica's
attacking midfield sensation Joao Felix, who is sending shockwaves around Europe as a result
of his performances over in Portugal.
The Reds, along with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester
City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, are all interested in securing the 19-year-old playmaker's
signature, although it will reportedly take a huge £105m fee to do so.
Felix has already hit seven goals and recorded three assists in just eight league starts
for Benfica this season, and is viewed as one of the hottest properties on the market
as his stock looks set to continue growing.
As per the aforementioned article, Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be the teenager's
idol, although a move to Turin to link up with the 33-year-old looks unlikely as the
Old Lady don't appear to be getting involved in the race to sign him.
If Jurgen Klopp's Reds did manage to fend off Europe's biggest clubs to bring Felix
to Anfield, then Naby Keita's place in the team could potentially come under threat despite
arriving at the club less than a year ago.
The Guinean international has had a slow start to his Liverpool career, but has picked up
his form of late thanks to a continued run in the team, where his ability to get on the
ball and drive forward through the centre has caught the eye.
Felix is a tricky central attacking midfielder who likes to pick the ball up in the No.10
role, the area that Keita enjoys dribbling into, so it would be tricky to see how the
pair would play together.
If Felix does end up costing the reported £105m fee, one would assume that Klopp would
intend to play him in the first team over Keita, which would all but end his involvement
as a consistent first-team regular.
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