Reds promised Coutinho he could join Barcelona – Balague
> For Jurgen Klopp, the right player is the right player, whether he comes today, tomorrow, in six months’ or in 12 months’ time
LIVERPOOL promised Philippe Coutinho they’d listen to offers if Barcelona met their asking price. That’s according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
The Brazilian was desperate for a switch to the Nou Camp last summer and handed in a transfer request, but the Reds rebuffed all advances from the La Liga giants.
He started this season in stunning form, scoring 12 times, and was rewarded by finally getting his wish last weekend as Barcelona splashed out £142m (RM768m) on him.
Balague insists that Liverpool always planned on selling Coutinho to the Catalan side and he was intrigued by some of the phrasing the 25-year-old used in his unveiling press conference.
“But there was no way that they could keep him for another few months, which is what Liverpool tried. ”
“He thanked Liverpool for keeping their word,” he told Talk.
“And that’s a bit of a mystery that nobody has been able to explain.
“The fact that there was a promise made by Liverpool suggests that after what happened in the summer, Liverpool must have told Coutinho, look if they come with an offer around €150m (RM812m) or so we will listen.
“Not so much as they will let him go but we will listen. But of course that meant that Liverpool realised that Coutinho had made his mind up, he had been very professional. Sky Sports podcast Transfer
“But there was no way that they could keep him for another few months, which is what Liverpool tried. They tried because they had the ear of the player and the respect of the player and the communication was fluid. But I think they tried knowing that it was not going to happen.”
Liverpool are currently fourth in the Premier League, three points behind second-placed Manchester United.
They return to action this weekend as they host runaway leaders Manchester City at Anfield. – Daily Star