Don’t be a Kop-out
Liverpool manager pleads with Coutinho to stay at Anfield
LONDON: Juergen Klopp has pleaded with Philippe Coutinho to stay at Liverpool for at least another year.
But the Anfield boss is looking at Monaco’s Thomas Lemar as an option should he have to concede defeat in the fight to keep the Brazilian.
The Reds’ boss has held talks with playmaker Coutinho in an effort to thwart Barcelona’s interest in signing him.
Klopp asked Coutinho to stay at Anfield and allow the club to prove they can match his ambition and compete for trophies.
Liverpool believe Barca have already agreed personal terms with their attacking midfielder as speculation intensifies that Neymar will sign for Paris St Germain.
Coutinho, 25, remains Barca’s first-choice replacement for Neymar and they are willing to offer in the region of £90mil (RM509mil) for the Anfield man.
Klopp, however, believes he can convince his best player to stick with the Reds as they prepare to compete for the English Premier League title and a first Champions League campaign in three years.
In return, if Liverpool fail to satisfy Coutinho’s ambitions by next summer, the club will willingly negotiate with Barcelona for the player’s transfer.
Coutinho has been open to Klopp’s proposal but remains enamoured by the prospect of playing for Barca.
Neither the player nor the club expect any movement until after confirmation by PSG that Neymar will join them this summer.
Lemar, meanwhile, has been the subject of bids from Arsenal.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has made signing him his top priority despite having three bids rejected for the French international.
But now Liverpool are looking at Lemar as a potential replacement for Coutinho.
And Wenger fears that Klopp’s interest will make it even harder for him to prise the player away from Monaco.
The French champions have refused to lower their £80mil (RM452mil) asking price but know that the 21-year-old forward is keen to test himself in the Premier League.
Arsenal are still hopeful of reaching a compromise figure after their latest bid of £45mil (RM254mil) was turned down last month.
And they are confident that Lemar would choose the Emirates over Anfield despite Liverpool being able to offer Champions League football.
But Liverpool’s interest has encouraged Monaco in their belief that they can get close to £60mil (RM339mil) for their young forward. — The Sun, London