Kop bank £142m for Coutinho
reluctance that we say farewell to a good friend, a wonderful person and a fantastic player in Philippe Coutinho.
“I can assure the Liverpool supporters that we have done everything within our means to convince Philippe that remaining part of club was as attractive as moving to Spain.
“But he is 100 per cent certain his future – and that of his family – belongs at Barcelona.
“It is his dream and I am now convinced there is nothing left at our disposal to change his mind.
“Philippe has made a fantastic contribution to this club over his five years.
“And, as disappointed as we are that he doesn’t want to extend that, the relationship we have for him means with a heavy heart we wish him well.
“I have been here long enough now to know, in the history of Liverpool, key players have left before – but the club always goes on.”
High-level sources at the Merseyside club have confirmed that the incentives written into the British-record deal are all achievable.
And Liverpool expect to get maximum value from a move they did not want to happen.
Coutinho has signed a five-year contract with the La Liga leaders – and a buy-out clause of £355m has been inserted into the deal.
He should be unveiled this evening when Barcelona face Levante at the Nou Camp.
The Brazilian is now the second most expensive player in the world, behind his Samba team-mate Neymar, who is at PSG.
And the deal is the biggest to be sealed for a player who does not have a buy-out clause in his contract.
Barcelona are now hoping that Coutinho will be fit to make his debut in the Copa del Rey clash against Celta Vigo on Thursday.