JURGEN KLOPP HAS spoken about suggestions that Liverpool have named their price for Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho.
Having seen their Brazilian star spend much of the summer being linked with a switch to Camp Nou, rumours have resurfaced ahead of the January window.
Liverpool fought hard to keep Coutinho out of Barca’s clutches amid a flurry of bids from Catalunya, with the Reds reluctant to part with a key men tied to a long-term contract.
That has, however, done little to curb the speculation and claims that the Premier League side have put an asking price on the 25-year-old’s head as they wait on renewed interest.
Klopp told reporters when those stories were put to him: “Named a price? Interesting. There is absolutely nothing to say about this. Of course Phil is still essential for us.
“Should we stop thinking about him in the moment just because there are more stories about him in the newspapers in Spain?”
While reluctant to open another debate regarding Coutinho, Klopp is prepared to admit that there may be departures from Anfield in the New Year.
He added: “I cannot give an answer for that now. A lot of things could happen.
Maybe one or two players will tell me they want to make a move and go somewhere else. If that happens then we would have to consider that and make our decisions.”
If Barcelona are intending to make a fresh approach for Coutinho in January, then they are keeping their plans close to their chest.
Manager Ernesto Valverde admits a summer-long saga was “damaging” to his club, so he will be making no comment on possible targets until deals are put in place.
He told reporters when quizzed on the fresh Coutinho rumours: “The problem is we’ve been speaking about players for a long time who are not part of the club. There was a lot of talk during the close season.
“Right now, we can’t sign anybody, so let’s concentrate on what we’ve got now. It’s damaging to us to discuss these things when the market is closed.
“When we get to the market, I probably won’t want to discuss these things, either!
“At the moment, Coutinho is not one of my players. I want to worry about my players and the game we have [against Celta Vigo this afternoon].”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
He’s gone. Wonder if Liverpool want to spend £80m on Andy Carroll as replacement?
@Whatshisname: he’s not gone, can’t sign anyone in December. You know nothing about football.
@Mick Power: Ignore that tool. It’s a sloop/bravo alter ego. Anyhows we know Coutinho is going in SUMMER. Fuk him. Salah is boss. Also Can is going. There is a big SUPRISE. And he is getting replaced by KEITA. And VVD is on route so fuk the haters. Y.N.W.A. We are Liverpool tra la la la la la
@Is mise muc gránna: Keita will probably break Salah’s legs at his first training session.
@Whatshisname: he won’t be going for nothing though,and not to a premier league club either.
@@baz6375: you never know, Arsenal might nearly sign him
@Mick Power: ya.a pound over the buyout clause again.you couldn’t make it up
Coutinho is definitely unsettled by the transfer talk this season. Not playing to his usual standards.
@Pj Windgap: real and Barcelona are allowed to do so…. Look at the rubbish your hear about De Gea all the time…. Still at Man Utd….
Every player is replaceable ? If Liverpool get the ransom money and it’s spent wisely , then who knows where it can go ?
All were short is a video Ted DiBiase laughing
At this moment! – that’s speaks volumes
60 million max ….wants out and when a big club calls the result is inevitable. Surprised chelsea haven’t taken a closer look at him…