Philippe Coutinho leaving Liverpool would be 'awful' - Roberto Firmino

Roberto Firmino says it would be "awful" for his Liverpool teammate and close friend Philippe Coutinho to leave Anfield.

Coutinho submitted a transfer request on Friday as he seeks to secure a move to Barcelona, while Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has said the Brazil international "cannot play for Liverpool" currently.

Firmino wants his compatriot to stay put at Liverpool this summer as he aims to achieve success at both club and international level.

"I prefer to not think of this [Coutinho leaving] because it would be awful. He's a great player but also a great friend to me," Firmino said. "It is normal that great teams are interested in his football but my concentration is now on the team.

"My objective is to win cups with Liverpool so I can enter the history of this club.

"This season is a special season because it is World Cup season. From childhood, I had the dream to play the World Cup.

"To be selected to the World Cup, I need to have my best season with Liverpool. [Brazil boss] Tite is a coach who rewards hard work at clubs."

Firmino joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015 and will face his former side on Tuesday in the first leg of a Champions League playoff.

The 25-year-old scored 49 goals in 153 appearances for the Bundesliga side after joining from Figueirense in 2011.

"It makes me happy to meet old friends again," he said. "I always felt respected there, I have good memories.

"I know Hoffenheim very well. They're an organised, hard side to face, but if we want to go far we must win big games from now.

"Klopp is a manager who's got the group under the palm of his hands. We hope to achieve big things this season, we prepared well."

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