Jamie Carragher expects Philippe Coutinho to stay put at Liverpool – despite Barcelona's attempts to prise him away from Anfield.
However, the former defender believes the lure of the Camp Nou means it will be more difficult to keep hold of the classy Brazilian next summer, reports the Liverpool Echo.
“Hopefully we can get 12 more months out of him,” Carragher said in an exclusive interview with 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 LFC 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.”
Carragher insists Liverpool still need to splash the cash if they are going to maintain a challenge for glory this season.
The Kop legend doesn't expect the Reds to pursue an alternative to Naby Keita after the club admitted defeat in their bid to sign the RB Leipzig midfielder during the current window.
However, Carragher believes Liverpool's interest in Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk will “go down to the wire”. The Dutchman was recently banished to train on his own by Saints after making it clear he's desperate to move to Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp has only signed Mohamed Salah, Dominic Solanke and Andy Robertson so far this summer.
“To be honest, I think we were all hoping that we would have been a lot happier at the stage,” Carragher said.
“However, you’ve got to have patience. I’m sure the club are working 24/7 behind the scenes to bring players in, not only to keep the supporters happy, but to strengthen the squad for the big season ahead.
“I mentioned a lot last season that our squad isn’t strong enough. Despite the first XI being very good, with Champions League football coming up the squad needs a few more additions and these numbers are yet to come in.
“Saying this though, I think Jurgen Klopp is looking to bring in quality rather than quantity, which is something that I’m personally happy with too.
“Regarding Keita, I don’t think that Klopp will go out and buy another midfielder. I think he would be willing to wait until next season as supposedly Keita has a buyout clause.
“I reckon the Van Dijk saga will go right down to the wire. I don’t think Liverpool have ended all their interest in him at all. Nevertheless, if we go into the new season with what we’ve got now, I think there will be a lot of trepidation amongst the Liverpool fans.”