Liverpool given stark reminder as new contract dilemma is hammered home after Inter Milan victory

It took Roberto Firmino just 30 seconds to make his San Siro mark.

As soon as the second half started, the Brazilian was his usual, high-octane self.

A battle for the ball with Denzel Dumfries let Inter Milan know that Firmino was in the game.

And it was a clear indication that he was going to harry and press the home side relentlessly.

Perhaps Firmino would not have been introduced at the interval had Diogo Jota not suffered ankle ligament damage.

But, in hindsight, it proved a blessing for Liverpool and inspired a 2-0 victory to put them in the driving seat of the Champions League last-16 tie.

Firmino proved the fillip the Reds were crying out for in the first leg against the reigning Serie A champions.

The first period proved a cagey affair with no shots on target. Jota tried his best with a couple of blocked efforts, while Sadio Mane headed over.

But it was going to take one decisive moment to break the deadlock.

A move from the training ground conjured the opener in the 75th minute. Firmino burst towards the front post and glanced Andy Robertson’s corner across goal. The outstretched Inter keeper Samir Handanović had no chance.

It was Firmino’s reward for adding a different dimension to Liverpool’s attack. His intelligent movement began to create gaps in the home defence and Jurgen Klopp’s men could finally start applying constant pressure.

When you think of Klopp’s attacking options he now has at his disposal, Firmino’s name has dropped down the list.

He was synonymous with Liverpool’s gung-ho front three that delivered Champions League and Premier League success in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Flanked by Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, it was a triumvirate that could match any in the world.

Jota gradually crashed that party after joining from Wolves in the summer of 2020.

The Portuguese has now usurped Firmino to make the central role his own.

And Luis Diaz’s arrival from Porto last month has dislodged Firmino somewhat further.

But his contribution against Inter was a stark reminder of why Klopp’s opinion of the ex-Hoffenheim ace has never changed. The Liverpool manager has been quick to tell members of the media not to forget about Firmino when they reel off his team-mates.

And it again hammers home a question that still needs resolving; will Firmino be handed a new contract?

He’s in a similar situation as Salah and Mane. All three of their respective deals expire in the summer of 2023.

The trio will all be 31 when that time comes and it’s generally been accepted each cannot be handed a long-term agreement.

Salah’s contract negotiations have unsurprisingly dominated given the season he’s having. That’s now 24 goals and counting.

Most supporters would then agree that keeping Mane would be the next priority. Although Liverpool now have Diaz, the Senegal international is still a top-class winger.

So what of Firmino? His latest goal was only his eighth of the season and he’s found starts increasingly difficult to come by.

On the other hand, could Klopp really unearth another centre-forward with the same guile and understanding to feature in his role? Certainly, one wouldn’t be cheap.

Certainly, losing Firmino for free when his contract concludes would make sections of fans uneasy. With a market value of £34 million (per Transfermrkt), there would be significant funds to cash in on this summer. The likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich have previously been linked as potential suitors.

Talks will likely continue behind the scenes.

For now, though, Firmino’s a crucial cog who could be prepared to again take up a prominent role if Jota’s injury is worse than expected.