adminLONDON. — Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool did all they could to persuade Philippe Coutinho to stay Anfield. Liverpool have confirmed the Brazil international will move to Barcelona in a deal understood to be worth £146m, which was agreed after several weeks of discussions.
Coutinho was the subject of three failed bids from Barcelona in the summer, the largest of which was worth £113m, and he handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force a move but was unsuccessful.
And despite Liverpool’s best efforts, Coutinho has now got his move but Klopp insists his squad is strong enough to withstand the departure of the 25-year-old.
Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “It is no secret that Philippe has wanted this move to happen since July, when Barcelona first made their interest known.
“Philippe was insistent with me, the owners and even his team-mates this was a move he was desperate to make happen.
“Despite that, we managed to keep the player here beyond the summer window, hoping that we would be able to persuade him to stay and be part of what we are looking to do.
“I can tell the Liverpool supporters that we, as a club, have done everything within our means to convince Philippe that remaining part of LFC 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.
“The player remained dedicated and committed to helping us win matches, producing good performances and training hard each day at Melwood after the summer window had closed, despite failing to convince us to allow him to leave during that period and that level of professionalism reflects positively on him.
“Of course, it is totally understandable that supporters will be disappointed; this is always the case when you have to say goodbye to someone special. But, as hard as it is sometimes to accept, it is part of life and part of football — individuals have their own dreams and their own goals and objectives in life.
“Players will come and players will go, that is football, but as a club we are big enough and strong enough to continue with our aggressive progression on the pitch, even when we lose an important player.
“We have never been in a better position in recent times, as a club, to react in the right way. We will use our size and strength to absorb moments like this and still move forward.
“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. You cannot transfer the heart and soul of Liverpool Football Club, although I am sure there are many clubs who would like to buy it.
“I have so much belief in the talent we have here already and even more faith, together with our owners, that we will make continued investment into the playing squad, which will allow more growth and more improvement.
“I have so much belief in the talent we have here already and even more faith, together with our owners, that we will make continued investment into the playing squad, which will allow more growth and more improvement. ‘So as we bid farewell to Philippe, we continue on our path of progress and development as we work towards our common goal of bringing trophies back to Anfield.”
Discussions between Liverpool and Barcelona had been underway for several weeks, both the fee and payment schedules had been agreed and a deal has now been sealed.
Both clubs have now announced the deal, with Coutinho taking off on a private jet for Barcelona in the last hour before the transfer was confirmed, and a medical is expected to be carried out today.
Barcelona say that the Brazilian will sign a five-and-a-half-year contract, with a buyout clause of 400m Euros (£354.6m).
Coutinho will stay in a Barcelona hotel overnight and was expected to attend their match versus Levante yesterday ahead of the medical today.
A Liverpool statement on the club’s website said: “Liverpool FC can confirm Philippe Coutinho will be leaving the club after a transfer agreement was reached with FC Barcelona, subject to medical and agreement of personal terms.
“The player now has permission to complete the usual formalities to conclude the transfer immediately.”
A Barcelona statement said: “FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho.
“The player will sign a contract for the remainder of the season and five more, and will have a buyout clause of 400 million euros.” — Sky Sports.
Online Reporter