Liverpool have a big fight on their hands to keep Philippe Coutinho – when a Spanish giant such as Barcelona or Real Madrid come calling, often the temptation is too much.
Manager Jurgen Klopp has continued to hold firm, saying Liverpool are “not a selling club”, however similar sentiments were shared before losing the likes of Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling.
Also, Lionel Messi reportedly told “close friends” that the Liverpool magician has already agreed to terms with Barcelona.
If Coutinho does leave, this would be another big loss for the club who have failed to make a big mark in the transfer window, failing in their attempts to sign Naby Keita.
Liverpool have so far secured the services of Mohammed Salah, Dominic Solanke and Andrew Robertson, but they have ambitions of making more acquisitions before the transfer window closes.
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If Liverpool lose Coutinho, a move for Renato Sanchez is likely. The Bayern Munich player is reportedly frustrated by the lack of game time offered by the German giants and would be open to a move. Bayern previously said they would happily loan him, yet Klopp has no intention of improving the player before returning to Bayern, insisting he would only want to buy Sanchez.
The main piece in the Coutinho puzzle is Barcelona star Neymar, who has been strongly linked to a world record deal with Paris Saint-Germain of 222 million euros.
This will surely be one of the biggest talking points of the transfer window, and with less than two weeks until the Premier League season starts, it’s a huge headache for Liverpool and their fans.
The Doc
Roar Guru
Nice read Ben. It would be truly disappointing if Coutinho was to leave. I doubt liverpool will sell this late. It would send their planning into a tailspin. If they can find another central defender and DMF they have the pieces to challenge for the title. Lose your best midfielder and its curtains regardless of whether u can bring in Sanchez from Bayern.
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
In the last few hours fox sports report that he has told Barcelona he wants to leave. I myself am a Liverpool fan and have seen situations like this before with Sterling and Suarez.
Luke Karapetsas
Roar Pro
The BBC are reporting that Neymar is set to leave Barcelona, it'd make sense with the record transfer fee that they would invest it in Coutinho. If I was a Liverpool fan I'd be very nervous about these next few weeks
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
He offers Liverpool that creative option in behind that Salah and Mane do not have. He is that player that can win you a game or come up with something out of nothing. Sadly your players in your prime are often preferring moves to the top Spanish clubs due to the appeal of winning trophies and more importantly Champions League success. Until the EPL teams can prove that they can compete into the latter stages of the Champions League players will prefer moves to Spain and Bayern Munich.
Ed Nixon
Roar Pro
I'm not a Liverpool fan but I hope he doesn't leave. The league will be poorer for it if he does go.