Liverpool news: Sadio Mane thrilled Reds kept Philippe Coutinho away from Barcelona

LIVERPOOL forward Sadio Mane admits he was thrilled to see his side keep Philippe Coutinho in the summer.

Sadio Mane Philippe CoutinhoGETTY

Sadio Mane thrilled to keep Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho at Liverpool

Coutinho was heavily linked with Barcelona in the summer, with the Brazilian even handing in a transfer request to force through a move to the Nou Camp.

But Liverpool stood firm and rejected a number of offers from the La Liga giants, with the highest understood to be worth £118million.

And Mane believes it was important Liverpool kept hold of the 25-year-old, who has stared just one game for the Reds this season.

Mane told ESPN FC: "It was not only important to me, but also to the whole club, that Phil is staying here.

We are happy to see him stay with us

Sadio Mane

"He is one of our best players, an important player, and we are happy to see him stay with us."

Coutinho last week spoke of his failed move to Barcelona and insisted he is still committed to his time at Anfield.

Philippe Coutinho stuns fans with 15-minute cameo for Brazil

"What happened was a job offer and, in life, sometimes you get interested, sometimes you don't, and in my case, as everybody knows, I got interested, my family too," he said.

"But as I've always said, it's a great honour to receive an offer from such a great club like that.

“But it's also a great honour being here, Liverpool is great club worldwide. Now I'm here and I'll give my best, as always."

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