A pipe dream now?
Klopp thought Reds could do a Leicester with Coutinho
LONDON: Juergen Klopp was determined to keep hold of Philippe Coutinho, because he was convinced it meant Liverpool would be crowned English Premier League champions, according to reports in Catalonia.
The Brazilian was the subject of several Barcelona bids in the summer — the last of which topped £100mil (RM557mil).
However, the Reds held firm and Coutinho, 25, was forced to stay at Anfield, despite later admitting he had been keen on the move.
And Sport reports that Klopp believed keeping the former Inter Milan star, as well as adding Mohamed Salah, was all that was required to “do a Leicester” and win a shock Premier League title.
The article claims the German believed the attacking trident of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and the Egyptian was as good as any out there.
And he even stopped the club’s board from splashing out on big-name arrivals.
Klopp also insisted that having Coutinho in behind the attacking trio was fundamental — and that altogether, they would be capable of winning the title in the same way Leicester did.
However, it appears as far away as ever for the 18-time champions.
Last weekend’s 4-1 mauling at Tottenham Hotspur left them in ninth place, and 12 points behind leaders Manchester City.
Klopp may well have a point about the quality of his attack and the importance of Coutinho.
But it’s been his defence which have let him down so far. Liverpool are remarkably on a minus goal difference, having conceded 16 times and scored just 14.
As well as the 4-1 defeat at Tottenham, the Reds were also beaten 5-0 at Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that Liverpool have told Barcelona to cough up £134mil (RM746mil) for Coutinho in January.