Liverpool to dig heels in over new Barca approach for Coutinho
Brazil’s Philippe Coutinho (L) is tackled by Erick Pulgar of Chile during Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier Photo: Getty
Liverpool will continue to refuse to enter into negotiations with Barcelona over the transfer of Philippe Coutinho, despite the La Liga side’s insistence that they have not given up on the move.
The Catalan giants spent the summer chasing Coutinho as they attempted to fill the Neymar-shaped hole to the left of their three-peaked attack but ultimately failed, despite the Brazilian telling Liverpool of his desire to leave the club.
The Reds rejected three offers for Coutinho, including a final £118m bid, and it’s understood that their stance has not changed, despite comments from Barca’s chief executive Oscar Grau yesterday.
“We are ready to buy Coutinho in the winter market or any player the technical staff request,” Grau said. “But it is important to adjust ourselves, so if there are to be arrivals, there must be exits as well.”
But, despite Grau’s confidence, Liverpool are not entertaining the idea of allowing Coutinho – or any of their stars – leave midway through the season, with the 25-year-old integrated back into the first team after being out of the limelight for two months with a back injury.
Nevertheless, Grau’s views will not please Jurgen Klopp as he looks for his players to refocus for Saturday’s huge clash with Manchester United.
