REDS FEARED COUTINHO SULK

LIVERPOOL had to sell Philippe Coutinho because they feared he would sulk if he was denied his dream move again.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was not prepared to gamble on the Brazilian’s commitment if the club had again blocked his switch to Barcelona and reluctantly sanctioned a £145million sale.

“I knew it would come up again in this transfer window and it could have been very difficult if we had done what we could have done – ‘There’s your contract and you have to stay here’ – and to use him as a player in the second half of the season,” said Klopp.

“That was a decision I have to make, does it make sense, do I think I can still use him, can he help us still? And it was 100 per cent clear, no chance. He was not ready to do that any more.

“It was just clear after we spoke that it would not work out.”