Liverpool dig heels in over Philippe Coutinho as Barcelona make £72m move - 'We're not a selling club'

Liverpool dig heels in over Philippe Coutinho as Barcelona make £72m move – ‘We’re not a selling club’

Liverpool have made it clear to Barcelona their star player Philippe Coutinho is not for sale at any price after the Spanish giants made their much-anticipated first move for the Brazilian.

Barca have indicated they will pay £72 million for Coutinho in an effort to lure him to the Nou Camp this summer, but all bids will be rejected by the Merseyside club.

Liverpool will hold firm in their resolve to retain the 25 year-old who is fundamental to Jurgen Klopp’s ambitions this season, particularly as Liverpool seek to confirm a return to the Champions League. The club’s position is there are no circumstances that will force them to part company with Coutinho this summer.

“I’m not surprised but it’s not a compliment,” Klopp said of interest in one of his key players. “It’s not that I need it but a few people obviously see that Liverpool have a few good players. So, that’s how it is. But, a very important message – maybe we’re not a selling club. That’s how it is.
“We believe in working together, we believe in development together, we believe in using the basis that we want to work together, we want to make the next step together and for this we need to stay together.

“Phil is a very, very important player but we need to react better when he’s not on the pitch.

“There were a few games when he was out and when he came back and he was not in the best shape and he tried to get back his rhythm.




“Phil, when he’s able to run properly then you want to have him on the pitch again. We have to be better in moments like this.

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“Phil can improve, he has inconsistency, but there’s no doubting his qualities.”

Liverpool are determined to ensure history does not repeat itself as each of their most encouraging recent campaigns have ended with the loss of their most prized asset.

When they were Premier League runners-up in 2009 they were forced into the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. Then in 2014, Brendan Rodgers’ reign rapidly deteriorated when Luis Suarez left for Barcelona and another rebuilding job began.

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To lose Coutinho would be debilitating given how important he is to Klopp’s style of football. Speaking earlier this week in Hong Kong – where Liverpool are playing in the Asia Trophy – Klopp said retaining players was even more important than adding to his squad. He had Coutinho in mind and will not be surprised by Barcelona’s efforts given the noises from Spain for the last 12 months.

Klopp wants to add world class talent, not lose his most wanted player. Liverpool have spent most of the summer trying to sign Naby Keita from RB Leipzig.

They are expected to confirm the £10m signing of Andrew Robertson on Friday. The Scottish international underwent a medical on Thursday and moves from Hull City.

Source:Sports.yahoo



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