Liverpool reject Barca claims of cut

Spaniards say ‘big’ drop in fee since last summer Suarez constantly urged Brazilian to make move

Liverpool have rubbished Barcelona’s claim that the Merseyside club sold Philippe Coutinho for a “reduced” fee as the £142million signing was finally unveiled at the Nou Camp. Having won the fight for his signature, Barcelona sought to gain another political victory by stating they paid less than they were quoted for the Brazilian last summer. Liverpool sources familiar with the negotiations are adamant that is not the case because no price was proposed by the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group.

Barcelona’s suggestion does not tally with the Merseyside club’s firm position that there was no fee which would have forced the 25-year-old’s sale last summer.

Liverpool would not entertain negotiations with the Catalan club until recently, a position they made clear in a club statement last August and from which they never shifted in the last transfer window.

Negotiations over a fee were only concluded shortly before Coutinho’s exit, with the player himself making a financial contribution of £11.5million to ensure the valuation was met. However, the money was raised, and Liverpool’s asking price of €160million was agreed. That did not prevent Jordi Mestre, Barcelona’s vice-president, suggesting that his club had managed to haggle successfully.

“The club has always been interested in signing Coutinho, the difference to last summer is that there was a big cut in price,” Mestre said. “We won’t state the numbers because Liverpool don’t want us to, but there was a big price cut.”

Having made the contentious – and in Liverpool’s view inaccurate – remark, Barcelona chose not to elaborate. Liverpool’s position was consistent, as demonstrated in their statement four months ago.

“The club’s definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool Football Club when the summer window closes,” it said.

This was reinforced by Klopp at that time. “From a financial standpoint there is no price limit to let him go. A price at which we are ready to give in,” he said in August. “Our goal is to have the best possible team so we want to keep our guys and add new ones. That is our plan. Liverpool is not a club that has to sell players. That is set in stone. So what they pay in the end doesn’t matter.”

Liverpool wanted to stand firm this month, too, but eventually relented under pressure from the player, his representatives, Barcelona and even their sponsors – sportswear giants Nike – who announced the deal prematurely at the start of the month.

Nike’s promotion of a Coutinho Barcelona jersey was never explained by the company. They also have a deal with the player.