Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter Stuck

**My Whirlpool side by side fridge model number WRS325FDAM02 has a stuck water filter.

After opening the access door, the filter should pop out a bit, i guess, in order to pull it out for replacement.

But it doesn’t.

This model has no button to push, but an access door at the bottom left of the fridge. The filter should, according to Whirlpool, just pop out when the door is opened right-to-left.

Tried pliers on the end of the filter, but the end of the filter is rounded and gripping it from the end is impossible.

Removed lower grating to see if that help with access, but it doesn’t.

Water filter hasn’t been changed in 5 years! LOL…

Any help would be greatly appreciated!**