Having rejected an opening bid of £72m for 25-year-old midfielder Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool are bracing themselves for Barcelona to return with an improved offer of £80m for the player, claims the Sunday Mirror.
Jurgen Klopp is determined to retain his key player and reiterated that he does not consider the player available for transfer. The summer has been frustrating for the German with only Mo Salah, 25, arriving who can be identified as strengthening his starting line-up.
While Dominic Solanke, 19, and Andy Robertson, 23, are identified as being part of the future of the club, Klopp knows his squad needs more depth if they are to build on last season’s fourth placed finish.
Talking about the past and the sale of Luis Suarez, the German was adamant that the club will no repeat the mistake of selling their best players. Barcelona will test that ideal; resigned to losing Neymar Jr to Paris St Germain in a world record £196m transfer, the Catalans need a big signing to appease their supporters and quell any discontent before the Ernesto Valverde regime gets underway in earnest.
Klopp claimed that the Brazilian gave no indication of any desire to leave Anfield but when one of the world’s biggest clubs comes calling, that ideal is sure to be tested.
