Liverpool News: Coutinho staying and Salah arriving were crucial - Garcia

PHILIPPE COUTINHO staying at Liverpool and Mohamed Salah’s signing are the two big deals Anfield needed this summer, says former Red Luis Garcia.

Salah scores INCREDIBLE goal for Liverpool

Liverpool faced a tough fight on their hands to keep hold of Philippe Coutinho this summer after he handed in a transfer request.

Barcelona were prepared to make him their club-record signing but had their offers rebuffed.

And with Liverpool hoping to win trophies this season, Garcia reckons Coutinho staying has been a huge boost for the club.

"Of course everybody would like to have Coutinho in their team because for the last two or three years he has been showing how important he is for Liverpool," the Spaniard said.

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Philippe CoutinhoGETTY

Philippe Coutinho wanted to leave Liverpool for Barcelona this summer

I think they are pretty happy but again it depends on their future results but they have had a fantastic pre-season and it looks like a bright future.

Luis Garcia

"Many, many teams have been interested in signing him so, for Liverpool, I think it was very important for them to keep him.

"If they want to be competitive in this difficult Premier League they need to keep all of their important players."

Jurgen Klopp bolstered his attacking options with the arrival of Salah from Roma.

The Egyptian international has wasted no time in finding his feet on Merseyside with three goals already to his name.

And Garcia thinks his former side have a bright future to look forward to following Salah’s arrival.

Mohamed SalahGETTY

Mohamed Salah has netted three goals for Liverpool this season

"The add of Salah was important," Garcia said. 

"I think we've seen he has fit very well into the team and scored a few goals and he is showing he is fantastic with the other players.

"I think they are pretty happy but again it depends on their future results but they have had a fantastic pre-season and it looks like a bright future."

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