Liverpool should sell Philippe Coutinho, according to Garth Crooks

That is according to BBC pundit and former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks, who believes the Reds already have the perfect replacements for Coutinho in their ranks.

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group insist they will not sell the 25-year-old to Barcelona in this transfer window.

They have rejected a transfer request from Coutinho but Crooks thinks they should cash in because Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are ready to step up to the plate.

Mane ran Arsenal ragged in yesterday’s 4-0 win and Crooks explained: “It seems to me that Mane is the perfect replacement to take over from the Brazilian as Liverpool's main man, never mind that £100m-plus is simply too good to turn down for any player, never mind one who only cost you £8.5m in the first place.

“Liverpool are a wonderful club with a magnificent stage and they are very capable of finding another Coutinho.

“In fact, I already think they have one and his name is Sadio Mane.”

Summer signing Salah was also on the scoresheet against Arsenal and Crooks added: “Salah's arrival on to the scene at Anfield is further proof that the deal for Coutinho is simply too good to turn down - so get on with it.”

Liverpool splashed out a club-record fee to bring Chelsea flop Salah to Anfield but Crooks believes he is an outstanding capture.

Writing on his BBC blog, Crooks said: “I saw this lad play for Chelsea and I got the distinct impression that he was certainly good enough, but I think the move came a tad too soon and he wasn't given enough time to make an impact.

“Coming to terms with a big stage is one thing but when that club is fighting on all fronts you have to hit the floor running.

“His time with Roma, however, gave him the chance to grow as a footballer in readiness for the challenges ahead.

“Liverpool has come at the right time for Salah. He is an exciting player with bundles of ability. He also quick with an eye for goal, a point that was rammed home when the Egypt international robbed Hector Bellerin of the ball on Sunday while still in his own half, ran half the length of the pitch and still no-one in the Arsenal team could catch him. Then, without even breaking stride, he coolly stroked the ball past a helpless Petr Cech.”