At least that’s what journalist Tony Evans has suggested on Twitter amid the ongoing Philippe Coutinho saga.
Coutinho has been lined up by Barcelona as a replacement for compatriot Neymar, who left the Nou Camp for Paris St-Germain this month.
And in a bid to force a move he’s handed in a transfer request, which Fenway Sports Group (FSG) rejected as they are insistent he will not leave.
Liverpool’s stance has seen them knock back three bids for Coutinho, coming in at £72m, £90m and £118m respectively.
The latest reports indicate Barcelona are poised to return with a fresh offer of around £136m for the 25-year-old - despite Liverpool’s refusal to do business.
Evans, who writes for ESPN and the London Evening Standard and supports the Reds, has seemingly likened Barcelona’s pursuit of Coutinho to Liverpool’s interest in Naby Keita and Virgil Van Dijk.
On Twitter, Evans said: "Re Coutinho. FSG will not budge on this issue. However, it's another sign of naivety. We're heading to the sort of offer worth taking.
"But they've backed themselves into corner with statement. Still, don't trust recruitment dept to spend money well. So he might as well stay.
"On Barca, they are a club I despise (Real [Madrid], too). But to think their activities are any less moral than LFC's is delusion. It's just business.
"And the football business is dog-eat-dog. Ask Southampton about us."
Southampton and RB Leipzig have informed Liverpool that Van Dijk and Keita are not for sale this summer.
And Liverpool’s decision to continue targeting the duo has drawn criticism given their own position on Coutinho’s future.
