Coutinho should have one more year at Liverpool before Barcelona move - Carragher

The Liverpool legend is aware of Barcelona’s strong interest in Jurgen Klopp’s star playmaker.

A £72million bid has already been turned down by Liverpool as they aim to keep Coutinho.

However, Barcelona are growing increasingly confident of signing the 25-year-old.

And reports suggest he has asked to leave Anfield for the Nou Camp this summer.

A fee has not yet been agreed between the two clubs, but Liverpool are facing the prospect of losing Coutinho as Barcelona aim to replace Paris Saint-Germain-bound Neymar.

Ex-Liverpool defender Carragher recognises the desire for the Brazilian to play one of Europe’s biggest sides.

However, he feels the Reds could yet get another season out of Philippe Coutinho, especially following his new contract penned in January. 

“Hopefully we can get 12 more months out of him,” Carragher told 5times.co.uk.

“When he signed his five-year deal, I didn’t think that he would see it out.

“There is no doubt that at one stage in his career Philippe will want to play for one of the Spanish giants as many of the South American players do.

“Barcelona and Real Madrid are seen as the two biggest teams in world football who always have the best players.

“I think that Liverpool fans should really enjoy him over the next 12 months as if a big money offer does come in at the end of next season and if the player wants to play for Barcelona then there is not really much Liverpool can do.

“Let’s just hope we see him in a Liverpool shirt next season, which I think we will, and then let’s see where things go from there.”

Reports in Spain have suggested Liverpool will try and hold off selling Coutinho until at least after the first leg of their Champions League play-off on August 15/16.