Legend Lawro’s ‘Let Phil go’ plea
LIVERPOOL old boy Mark Lawrenson has three words of advice for his old club in the Philippe Coutinho transfer request saga: “Let him go”.
Coutinho’s bid to force a move to Barcelona has left Liverpool’s owners raging after the Brazilian personally submitted a transfer request on Friday.
That came after manager Jurgen Klopp stressed that Coutinho would not leave – and a firm statement from club chiefs that he would still be at Anfield when the window closes.
But Coutinho’s request was immediately rejected with Liverpool refusing to do a deal with Barcelona even if £90million was on offer.
The playmaker reported to Liverpool’s Melwood training ground yesterday morning to continue treatment on a bad back with the club and Klopp hoping that the wantaway star would settle down and commit his future.
Lawrenson, though, believes Coutinho has pushed Liverpool too far and the club should to let him leave Anfield after his successful four-and-a-half year spell.
He said: “It’s a major blow that Coutinho has handed in a transfer request but you can’t stop players wanting to go to the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. You just can’t stop them.
“Coutinho’s been a really good player for Liverpool but if he wants to go, he wants to go. He’s a good lad, a nice lad. But you can’t keep disaffected players at the club.
“Life will go on. It was worse losing Luis Suarez. Suarez was a better player and still is.
“But we managed to replace him with Coutinho and Roberto Firmino.
“Liverpool have to deal with it. If the lad wants to go and you get almost £100m for him, then there’s only one option.”
Meanwhile, Klopp has got to reset his sights on Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier in Hoffenheim after yesterday’s controversial 3-3 draw at Watford.
Lawrenson added: “Hoffenheim are a real tough draw for Liverpool.
“Klopp knows all about them from his time in Germany.
“It’s still a test against a very well-organised side. Technically they are strong, too, and they won’t come any bigger than these two games.”